Woman Escapes Kidnapping Attempt in Tembisa After Jumping Into Ekurhuleni Metro Police Vehicle
- A 27-year-old woman narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt after four men allegedly tried to abduct her near a dam in Tembisa
- Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department officers on routine patrol on Link Road responded when they heard the woman's cries
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the incident, with some praising police and others expressing concern over the area
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG — A 27-year-old woman narrowly escaped an alleged kidnapping in Tembisa on the evening of Wednesday, 7 October 2026, after sprinting towards a passing Ekurhuleni Metro Police vehicle and getting inside.
The incident took place at approximately 8 pm, according to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD). Officers were conducting routine patrols along Link Road, between Esselen and Liliba near a local dam, when they heard a woman screaming.
Woman flees four armed suspects
EMPD spokesperson Colonel Kelebogile Thepa said officers immediately brought their vehicle to a stop after hearing the cries. The woman ran directly towards the police vehicle and got inside.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
She told officers that four men travelling in a white Toyota Avanza had attempted to abduct her. Officers pursued the vehicle, at which point the suspects abandoned it and scattered on foot.
"Two ran into the Emfihlweni Cemetery, while the other two, including the driver of the vehicle, fled towards the Esselen Park area," Colonel Thepa said.
Suspects open fire and evade arrest
During the pursuit, the fleeing men fired at the officers. Colonel Thepa confirmed that the darkness inside the cemetery hampered the chase.
"Due to the darkness in the cemetery area, the suspects managed to evade arrest," she said.
No metro police officers sustained injuries. At the time of publication, no arrests had been made.
The rescue drew significant attention online, partly because of Ekurhuleni's recent crime profile. By late September 2026, at least 12 women's bodies had been discovered across the broader Ekurhuleni cluster over a period of roughly two months, prompting widespread fears that a serial killer was operating in the area.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users responding to the story linked the two developments.
Mpumi Nzama wrote:
"Location is giving the serial killer is still on the loose vibes."
Shaz Anderson added:
"It seems the serial killer is still out there. I pray she can identify her kidnappers."
No Zihstak commented:
"Ekhuruleni again."
Others used the incident to highlight the value of visible policing. Zine Sapula wrote:
"This is what we want. Visibility of law enforcers in our communities. So many lives can be saved."
Thivhakoni Singo Raphalalani noted:
"It's no longer safe out there."
Criminologist weighs in on possibility of a serial killer
Briefly News reported that criminologist Professor Nirmala Gopal weighed in on the murders in Kempton Park.
Professor Gopal said that the pattern of killings involving the four women was consistent with the work of a single perpetrator.
The police have urged caution against drawing premature conclusions, as the community has been gripped by fear.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
