Kidnapped And Dumped: Four Arrested In Mthatha After Victim Found Injured

Police in Mthatha have arrested four suspects aged between 26 and 33 in connection with separate cases of kidnapping and vehicle theft in the Eastern Cape.

The arrests were carried out within 72 hours by members of the South African Police Service attached to Mthatha Central Crime Prevention and Detectives.

Authorities confirmed the incidents took place over the weekend of 28 and 29 March 2026.

Man Kidnapped, Assaulted and Dumped in Donga

According to police spokesperson Welile Matyolo, the first incident occurred at around 6am on Saturday in Mbana locality, Zimbane.

A 30-year-old man was allegedly attacked by three suspects before being forced into the boot of a Toyota Tazz.

“The male victim survived the ordeal and was taken to the hospital due to severe assault injuries. Motive behind the kidnapping and assault is alleged to be theft of a cellphone,” Matyolo said.

He added that the victim was later dumped in a donga after the assault. Police responded swiftly after being alerted, leading to the arrest of the three suspects.

Stolen Vehicle Tracked and Suspect Arrested

In a separate incident on Sunday afternoon, Crime Prevention officers tracked a stolen silver VW Polo in the Chris Hani residential area.

The vehicle was intercepted in the Rosedale locality at about 3:45pm, where a 33-year-old man was arrested.

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“Rightful, original registration plates and license disk were already removed from the vehicle,” Matyolo confirmed.

All four suspects are expected to appear before the Mthatha Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 30 March 2026.

They face charges including kidnapping, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), and possession of a suspected stolen vehicle.

OR Tambo District Commissioner Norman Modishana praised officers for their quick response, saying their actions “ensured reported crimes were met with decisive arrests.”