Four OF the eight suspects arrested in connection with the hijacking, kidnapping and assault of Amos Gumenge in Strand on Sunday have turned State's witness.

The 34-year-old was ambushed at gunpoint, held captive in a house in the Broadlands area and severely beaten before managing to escape and raise the alarm.

Police arrested six suspects in the house and a further two who had crashed his car not far away.

On Wednesday, it emerged in the Strand Magistrate's Court that four of the eight suspects were aged 16.

Before court proceedings began, two of the teenagers and two adults convinced police that they had not been involved and would testify for the State.

The remaining four were then charged with kidnapping, robbery, hijacking and assault with intention to cause grievous bodily harm.

One of the teenagers was released into the custody of his parents, while the 16-year-old girl was sent to a place of safety, said police spokes-man Olebogeng Godfrey Tawana.

The two men in the group were sent to Pollsmoor prison.

The four suspects are due to appear in court again on April 11.

During the attack, Gumenge had his cellphone, R1 700, his passport and bank cards stolen.

A manager at a water management company, Gumenge told the Cape Argus earlier this week that he had only survived by thinking constantly of his family while he was being held captive.