Kidnapped man rescued and hijacked bakkie recovered after Mpumalanga operations

Mpumalanga police say a kidnapped 51-year-old man was found unharmed inside his recovered vehicle and a suspected hijacked Ford Ranger was seized after two separate intelligence-led operations in Ehlanzeni and Tonga.

Rapid tracking leads to rescue

Provincial Anti‑Hijacking Task Team members received information about the alleged abduction of a 51‑year‑old man from Mzinti on Wednesday, 08 July 2026. The victim had reportedly been taken while driving his white Toyota Fortuner with Mpumalanga registration plates.

Police spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane‑Mpe said the tip was immediately operationalised and officers launched coordinated tracking and tracing searches. The Toyota Fortuner was recovered at a sugarcane farm adjacent to the local sugar mill, and the victim was found unharmed inside the vehicle and safely rescued. He was taken to Tonga Police Station and reunited with his family.

Separate recovery of suspected hijacked bakkie

In a different operation, on Tuesday, 07 July 2026, members of the Provincial Anti‑Hijacking Task Team (Ehlanzeni) and Tonga VISPOL were conducting disruptive crime‑prevention operations when they observed a white Ford Ranger without registration plates travelling at high speed. Officers pursued the vehicle as it turned into a local farm and continued at speed before stopping near a ditch.

The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into nearby bushes. Preliminary enquiries showed the vehicle had not yet been circulated as stolen and tested negative on police systems at the time. The registered owner was contacted and said he was traumatised and not yet in a position to open a criminal case, and a hijacking case was registered on Wednesday, 08 July 2026, by Durban Central SAPS. The recovered Ford Ranger, bearing KwaZulu‑Natal registration plates, was secured by police for further investigation and processing.

Police comment and next steps

No arrests had been made at the time of the police statements, and investigations were continuing to identify, trace and apprehend those responsible for the kidnapping, Nonyane‑Mpe said. Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi commended members involved in both operations, saying the recoveries showed the effectiveness of intelligence‑driven policing and the commitment of members to protecting communities.

What police recovered

• White Toyota Fortuner (Mpumalanga plates) victim found inside and rescued
• White Ford Ranger (KwaZulu‑Natal plates) recovered and secured for investigation

Police statements and operation details quoted in this article were provided by Captain Mpho Nonyane‑Mpe and Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi.