Two Ethiopians arrested after police rescue five kidnapped from spaza shop in Limpopo

Intelligence-led raid frees five victims held in spaza shop; two arrested

Police in Limpopo dismantled a kidnapping syndicate after rescuing five foreign nationals locked inside a room at a spaza shop and arresting two suspects, the Provincial Organised Crime Unit said.

How police found the victims

According to Citizen, the operation followed a kidnapping case opened on 07 May 2026 by a foreign man living in Giyani, Mopani District, who told police he had received ransom calls for his brother. Acting on intelligence, officers pursued leads that led to a raid on 16 May 2026 in the Valdezia Mambedi Village under the Levubu policing precinct, Citizen reports.

Police arrived at a local spaza shop identified during their investigation and found two foreign male suspects on the premises. During a search, officers seized illicit cigarettes, cellphones and an undisclosed amount of money, including coins stored in plastic bags, the police said.

Victims’ condition and allegations

Further inspection uncovered five foreign male victims, aged between 18 and 24, locked inside a room. They were found seated on the floor, half-naked and visibly distressed, police said.

According to Citizen, the victims told police they had been kidnapped separately in the Giyani area, forced into a truck and transported to the location where they were held for about twelve days. Citizen also reports the victims said they were kept under guard, fed only bread, and repeatedly assaulted while their captors pressured family members for ransom.

Arrests and court appearances

Citizen names the two arrested Ethiopian nationals as Misganu Gethchwe (24) and Teshal Tumebo (20). Two additional suspects linked to the alleged syndicate remain at large and police said they are actively pursuing leads to secure their arrests.

Per Citizen, the arrested men appeared in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on charges of kidnapping and in the Waterval Magistrate’s Court on charges related to the possession of illicit cigarettes and money laundering on 18 May 2026. They were remanded in custody and are due to appear again in the Waterval Magistrate’s Court on 22 May 2026 and in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court on 25 May 2026.

Police response and next steps

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba described the probe as intelligence-driven and said investigators followed up on critical leads.

“Upon arrival at a local spaza shop identified during investigations, police found two foreign male suspects on the premises and immediately conducted a search,”

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised the team for their “dedication and professionalism in dismantling an alleged criminal syndicate targeting vulnerable foreign nationals through kidnapping and extortion.” She added:

“We are committed to protecting all persons within our borders, regardless of nationality. We will continue to intensify efforts against alleged criminal syndicates involved in kidnapping, extortion, and human rights abuses.”

Police investigations are ongoing.