A R1 million ransom was demanded for the safe return of a Gqeberha businessman, who was kidnapped in Motherwell on Tuesday.
Fifty-four-year-old hardware store owner, Zahir Bayit, was taken by a group of men at around 5 pm.
Hawks provincial spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, confirmed the kidnapping but said Bayit was still missing.
According to her their investigation into the incident has already resulted in the arrest of three suspects.
Meanwhile, video footage of the incident shared on social media shows Bayit exiting a store and walking in the direction of a white vehicle that is parked next to a mobile ATM-machine.
A businessman has been kidnapped from his offices in PE late this afternoon.
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) January 23, 2024
Zakeer Bhayat was taken by armed men.#CrimeWatch pic.twitter.com/fnGWA3BAoF
As he reaches the driver's side of the vehicle he is approached by two men.
A silver SUV then pulls up and parks behind the white vehicle, before five men jump out and seemingly fire shots into the air, while other accomplices are also seen brandishing firearms.
Bayit was forced into the back seat of the silver SUV before the suspects drove off.
No further information is available at this stage and the Hawks investigation is continuing.
