A 26-year-old Johannesburg attorney who was abducted outside her Northcliff home has been rescued safely, less than 28 hours after she was forcibly taken. Police have arrested suspects and recovered a vehicle believed to have been used in the kidnapping.
Alex Soleil van Heerden was rescued in Vosloorus at about 10.30pm on Thursday, following an investigation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), specialist investigators, her family, friends and members of the public.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that a suspect had been arrested and is expected to appear in court soon. She said the investigation remains active as detectives work to establish the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and identify everyone involved.
Alex Soleil Van Heerden Kidnapped Outside Northcliff Home
Alex Soleil van Heerden had reportedly travelled home from Rosebank in an Uber before she was abducted at her apartment complex at approximately 6.57pm on Wednesday, 5 August. Security footage reportedly captured at least three suspects forcing her into a white Renault hatchback before leaving the scene.
The Uber driver immediately reported the incident to police, resulting in a kidnapping case being opened at Fairlands police station. Investigator Mike Bolhuis of Specialised Security Services (SSS) said the investigation developed rapidly following the report.
“The incident developed rapidly,” Bolhuis said.
SSS said information was gathered through cooperation between investigators, SAPS, Van Heerden’s relatives, friends and colleagues. A public appeal was also circulated through social media and community networks in an effort to locate the victim and identify those responsible.
Alex Soleil Van Heerden Found Safe In Vosloorus
The rescue of Alex Soleil van Heerden followed information gathered during the investigation. Police said officers were initially led to Sebokeng, where a suspect believed to have driven one of the vehicles used in the kidnapping was arrested.
Further investigations took officers to Vosloorus, where Van Heerden was located unharmed at approximately 10.30pm on Thursday. Nevhuhulwi said the attorney was visibly shaken and has since been reunited with her family.
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“Further investigations led the team to Vosloorus, where the victim was found unharmed, although visibly shaken. She has since been reunited with her family,” she said.
Bolhuis also confirmed the rescue and arrests.
“SSS is pleased to confirm the rescue and safe recovery of 26-year-old Ms Alex Soleil van Heerden, who was forcibly taken in a kidnapping incident in Northcliff, Johannesburg, on the evening of 5 August 2026.”
“The vehicle was recovered and suspects were arrested.”
Northcliff Kidnapping Investigation Remains Ongoing
The Northcliff kidnapping investigation remains active despite Van Heerden’s safe recovery. Authorities are working to establish the full circumstances of the crime and determine who else may have been involved.
Van Heerden’s husband, Rashaad Ismail, contacted Bolhuis after her recovery and expressed his relief that she had been found alive and unharmed.
Bolhuis said the investigation would continue and appealed to anyone with relevant information to approach authorities.
“Although Ms Van Heerden has been found safe, the kidnapping remains under investigation due to the seriousness of the incident and the need to establish the full circumstances and identify all persons involved,” Bolhuis said.
“The safe recovery of Ms Van Heerden does not bring the investigation to an end,” he added.
Police said the rescue resulted from cooperation between the SAPS Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Fairland police, Community Police Forums (CPFs), community patrollers, victim support officials and Beagle Watch Armed Response.
SSS also warned about the seriousness of kidnapping incidents.
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“At the same time, SSS emphasises that kidnapping must never be treated as an ordinary criminal incident. It is a serious violent crime that can place a victim’s life and physical and psychological wellbeing at extreme risk.”
“In an extreme kidnapping investigation, time matters.”
