A suspected kidnapper was shot and fatally wounded in a shootout with police in Empangeni on the night of Saturday, 9 May 2026, according to authorities.
The incident stemmed from the kidnapping of a Pakistani businessman in Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal, on the morning of 6 May 2026. A ransom of R200,000 was demanded. The following day, the victim’s family paid R90,000, and the businessman was released on the condition that the remaining balance would be paid after his freedom was secured.
The Empangeni Tactical Response Team (TRT) launched an operation and arranged a guided drop-off of the outstanding balance. On Saturday night, a parcel was dropped on the N2 northbound. Three suspects traveling in a bakkie arrived to collect it.
TRT officers confronted the suspects, and a shootout ensued. One suspect was shot and fatally wounded at the scene. A second suspect fled into nearby bushes and disappeared in the darkness. The third suspect drove off in the bakkie, which was later found abandoned on the N2 on-ramp at Empangeni.
A firearm with its serial number filed off was recovered from the deceased suspect. A manhunt is underway for the two outstanding suspects.