Owen Ndlovu has been found in Thokoza, Katlehong, after he was allegedly kidnapped by three armed men while fetching his wife from church on Tuesday night.
Ndlovu was found by residents in the area on Wednesday morning, according to his family.
The family said Ndlovu’s bag was also found a few metres away from where he was discovered.
However, his condition remains unclear, with the family on its way to Thokoza to establish whether he is alive and determine the extent of any injuries he may have sustained.
The development comes hours after Gauteng police confirmed that they had launched a manhunt for three suspects following the hijacking and kidnapping of a man in Katlehong.
Police said the incident happened at about 20:00 on Tuesday when the victim was fetching his wife from church.
According to police, three unknown men, one reportedly armed with a firearm, approached the couple, pushed the woman aside and forced her husband into the back seat of his Ford Raptor.
The suspects then drove away with the victim.
The bakkie was later recovered abandoned in Walkerville.
Ndlovu’s wife, Portia Ndlovu, had told Africa Daily that her husband tried to escape from the armed men but was chased down, assaulted and taken away.
“He tried to run away, but they outran him. They hit him and took him away,” she said.
Portia also said Ndlovu’s cellphone was still ringing shortly after 21:00 and his WhatsApp account appeared to remain online before the phone was eventually switched off.
The circumstances surrounding how Ndlovu came to be in Thokoza remain unclear.
The discovery also comes on the day Ndlovu was due to return to court in his long-running legal dispute involving the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) and its chief executive officer, Annabelle Lebethe.
Lebethe previously obtained an interim protection order against Ndlovu, but the application was subsequently dismissed and the interim order discharged.
Despite the court outcome, Ndlovu remained embroiled in a dispute over his access to SAMRO’s offices.
He had lodged an application for the anticipation of the matter, with Lebethe summoned to appear in court on Wednesday in connection with the application.
There is currently no evidence linking Ndlovu’s alleged kidnapping to his dispute with SAMRO or Lebethe.
The family has appealed for privacy while it establishes Ndlovu’s condition.
It also thanked residents who found him, members of the public who assisted in the search and everyone who shared information and supported efforts to locate him.
Police have urged anyone with information that could assist with the investigation to contact the Crime Stop Line on 08600 10111 or provide an anonymous tip-off through the MySAPSApp.
This is a developing story.
