CRIME SCENE: Kopanong, Southern Free State: The South African Service Police (SAPS) have launched a manhunt for three armed suspects following a house robbery and kidnapping of an elderly couple.

It is alleged a 73-year-old man and his 67-year-old wife were asleep at their home in Bophelong on Sunday, 2 August 2026, when they were surprised by three armed men who gained entry by breaking a sliding door. The suspects demanded cash while assaulting both victims.

According to SAPS the suspects loaded household appliances into the victims’ Suzuki vehicle and also forced the victims into their own vehicle.

SAPS said the suspects then drove with the couple around Bloemfontein before taking them to Botshabelo.

“There, the victims were locked inside a shack while the suspects performed fraudulent transactions and digitally transferred an undisclosed sum of money from the victims’ bank accounts, using their cellphones.

“On Tuesday, 4 August 2026, at approximately 04:00, the suspects drove the victims back to their residence in Bophelong, left them inside the vehicle, and fled the scene on foot,” said SAPS.

The Kopanong police were called to the scene, and cases of house robbery and kidnapping have been opened for further investigation.

Police appeal to anyone with information that can assist in identifying or locating the suspects to urgently contact Detective Lieutenant Colonel Sias Smit of Kopanong detectives on 063 692 1196, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or submit an anonymous tip-off via the MySAPS-App.