Police are hunting for a gang of men who kidnapped a well-known Cape businessman.
Sadeck Zhaun Ahmed was snatched in front of his business in Salt River on Tuesday evening.
The 71-year-old is the owner of Zhauns, a popular fabric shop in Main Road.
Witnesses say just before 6pm, Sadeck was grabbed by four masked men while loading items into the boot of his white BMW with the help of an employee.
The kidnappers then wrestled the elderly man into a white Ford double cab bakkie.
His male employee who tried to help Sadeck was roughly shoved aside.
It’s believed the kidnappers shocked both Sadeck and his employee with a tazer gun before they fled.
The bakkie was later recovered in Victoria Road in Walmer Estate, with no sign of the gunmen or Sadeck.
Witnesses say there
was blood inside the bakkie, but it’s not clear to whom it belonged.
The Zhauns store was open for business on Wednesday, but distressed relatives at the shop did not want to comment.
FOUND: Ford getaway vehicle was discovered in Walmer Estate. Photo: Leon Knipe
The kidnapping was witnessed by staff members and guests of Bush Radio, located opposite Zhauns’ shop.
Community Safety MEC Dan Plato was at the station for an interview at the time, his spokesman Ewald Botha confirmed on Wednesday.
“Minister Plato was arriving at Bush FM studios for an interview when the incident occurred and assisted the eyewitnesses in following up with the police,” Botha said.
Police spokesperson, Noloyiso Rwexana,
confirmed Sadeck was abducted and says police need the public’s help to find him.
“Woodstock police are seeking the assistance of the public in tracing the whereabouts of a 71-year-old businessman, Sadeck Zhaun Ahmed, who was allegedly kidnapped by four unknown males in front of his business on Tuesday at about 5.40pm.
POPULAR: Zhauns in Salt River was open for business. Photo: Leon Knipe
“According to information the victim and his driver were busy in his vehicle, an unknown double cab bakkie pulled up behind them, whereby three men threatened the victim with a firearm and forced him into their bakkie and drove off in the direction of Victoria Road, Woodstock.
“The bakkie in which the suspects travelled was later discovered abandoned in Victoria Road, Woodstock.”
Anyone with information regarding the suspects or who witnessed the incident is requested to contact the investigator, Warrant Officer David Miles on 021486 2840 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.