A veteran South African sports broadcaster, Owen Ndlovu, was found dead with gunshot wounds following his abduction when his vehicle was hijacked in a township near Johannesburg. Ndlovu, who once worked as a presenter for the country's public broadcaster, the SABC, was seized on Tuesday while picking up his wife from a church in Katlehong. His body was discovered the next morning by local residents near a road in Thokoza, a neighboring area. Witnesses reported that he had suffered gunshot wounds, and a bag of his belongings was found nearby. Police have begun a manhunt for three suspects and are investigating the circumstances of his death. Provincial police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi explained that Ndlovu had gone to collect his wife from a religious service when the attackers approached. "As she approached their vehicle, three unknown men, one reportedly armed with a firearm, suddenly approached them, pushed her aside, and forced her husband into the back seat," she said. "The suspects then drove off with the victim." The vehicle, a Ford Raptor pick-up truck, was later found abandoned in Walkerville, an area south of Johannesburg. Police confirmed they are investigating the case as a murder, though the cause of death will be determined after a post-mortem. The family's spokesperson, Eugene Mthethwa, stated they are waiting for more details from authorities about how Owen died. The family described the loss as "devastating" and thanked the public, police, and others who helped search for him after news of his abduction spread. Ndlovu was a well-known figure in South African sports media, having worked for years as a presenter and producer at the SABC. He also covered the Premier Soccer League on radio and later became an advocate for musicians' rights and royalty payments. A fellow journalist, Lelo Mzaca, remembered him as someone who lived a "colourful, energetic life" and brought enthusiasm to sports broadcasting. The provincial government has urged communities to assist police with the investigation, emphasizing the need to tackle crime. This incident has once again brought attention to the high levels of violent crime in South Africa, where armed robberies and vehicle hijackings are common. Recent national police data, covering April to June 2026, recorded over 5,000 murders and nearly 4,000 carjackings. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia noted that such crimes continue to instill fear in communities, often carried out by "organised, heavily armed criminal groups that operate with planning and sophistication."