Alex Van Heerden found safe after Johannesburg kidnapping scare

Johannesburg attorney Alex Soleil Van Heerden, 26, has been found safe after a kidnapping scare outside her Northcliff home on Wednesday, 5 August.

The confirmation came from Specialised Security Services after an urgent public appeal that drew widespread attention across South Africa.

Journalist Yusuf Abramjee reported that Van Heerden had been abducted shortly after arriving home in an Uber from News Cafe in Rosebank. According to the report, she was forced into a white Renault hatchback by at least three unidentified suspects at about 6:57pm on Wednesday. The Uber driver immediately reported the incident to SAPS.

KIDNAPPING ALERT: JOHANNESBURG

Alex Soleil Van Heerden (26) was kidnapped after arriving home in Northcliff on Wednesday, 5 August.

She was travelling in an Uber from Rosebank and, after getting out at her residence at about 18:57, was forced into a white Renault hatchback by… pic.twitter.com/tsIElc2IEG

Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) August 6, 2026

Specialised Security Services said SAPS Johannesburg Fairlands registered the matter under case CAS 38/08/2026. The organisation later confirmed: ‘Ms. Van Heerden was found safe on 6 August 2026.’ The update was published on Mike Bolhuis’ official website.

The initial appeal said Van Heerden was last seen wearing a white dress and jacket and asked anyone who noticed suspicious activity near Mimosa Road to contact investigators. Specialised Security Services thanked members of the public for sharing the alert, saying: ‘Your rapid sharing of information played a crucial role in this outcome.’

Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation remains ongoing, according to Specialised Security Services.