The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed the arrest of three suspects following a kidnapping and armed robbery in Bellville on Thursday.
According to police, a 23-year-old man was forced into a vehicle by four suspects while walking along a street. Members of the National Intervention Unit, who were in the area as part of Operation Lockdown III, spotted the vehicle and gave chase.
“Swift action by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Intervention Unit (NIU) led to the arrest of three suspects for kidnapping and armed robbery in Bellville on Thursday, October 9, 2025,” the police said
“A preliminary report indicates that a 23-year-old man was walking along a street when he was accosted by four suspects who forced him into their vehicle and sped off”.
The police added that the suspects later abandoned the vehicle and tried to flee on foot. However, officers managed to arrest three of them at the scene. One suspect is still at large.
“While fleeing, the suspects’ vehicle passed members of the NIU, who immediately pursued them. The suspects later abandoned their vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, but police managed to arrest three suspects, while one evaded arrest”.
“Police recovered the victim’s belongings and an imitation firearm that was allegedly used during the commission of the crime”.
The NIU is currently deployed in the Western Cape as part of Operation Lockdown III, a national initiative targeting gangsterism, extortion, drug trafficking, and other violent crimes in the province.
IOL News
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
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