The Hawks have successfully rescued an Ethiopian national who was held hostage following an audacious ambush on the N2 highway in the Eastern Cape. The operation, which took place on 10 September 2025, culminated in the arrest of three suspects, marking a significant victory in the ongoing fight against kidnapping and organised crime in South Africa.
According to Hawks spokesperson Avele Fumba, the victim fell prey to a kidnapping while traveling between Qonce and Peddie. During the incident, the suspects demanded a ransom from the victim’s family, leading to heightened urgency among the law enforcement agencies when the ransom was not met. “When it became evident that the victim was in serious danger, we escalated our operation,” stated Fumba.
The operation was meticulously planned, with a dedicated task team deploying various resources to track the suspects’ movements. Fumba revealed that the operation extended to the town of Alice, where the hostage was ultimately found. “At the hideout, the suspects fired at our officers. We responded in a controlled manner, neutralising the armed suspects without sustaining any injuries to our law enforcement personnel,” he explained. During the operation, two unlicensed firearms were recovered alongside the suspects.
The arrested individuals now face serious charges including kidnapping, attempted murder, and possession of unlicensed firearms. The Hawks’ recent success underscores the dire need for ongoing efforts against crime in the region, particularly in light of last week’s events where police successfully eliminated a notorious kidnapping kingpin from Mozambique. The kingpin was found with a stash of identity documents from both South Africa and Mozambique, indicating the cross-border nature of these crimes.