Central SA
Free State policeman among five remanded in custody for robbery, kidnapping─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 10:08 Fri, 16 May 2025
The group appeared on Thursday (15/5) on charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping. The case has been postponed to Thursday, 29 May, and all suspects remain in police custody.
Tumisang Mahlakodisane (32), Morena Au (32), Moloantoa Mofola (36), Theta Monethi (42), and police officer Menyatso Kganare (40) were arrested following an investigation into a violent kidnapping and robbery incident in March.
A case docket of robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping was opened at Selosesha police station, said provincial police spokesperson Motantsi Makhele. The suspects allegedly kidnapped the victim on Friday, 21 March, and used the victim’s bank card to withdraw money, shop at various retail outlets in Bloemfontein, and make several money transfers. The victim was only released four days later.
The suspects were identified through video surveillance footage and the motor vehicle used in the commission of the crime, said Makhele. “First two extortionists were arrested by the investigation team, and others handed themselves over to the police as the net was closing in on them.”
The crime fell under financial extortion, elaborating that common types of extortion are blackmail, protection rackets, cyber-extortion, and financial extortion. “The public can notice extortion through key elements such as threats made by extortionists to instill fear, make demands for money or property or services, or coercion used by extortionists to force the victim to comply.”
Free State police have urged the public to report cases of extortion by calling the National Extortion Hotline on 0800 911 011, Crime Stop on 0860 001 0111, or by visiting their nearest police station.
Community concern over the case has grown following a social media post by Patricia Morgan-Mashale, who highlighted a worrying crime trend in Mangaung involving police officers.
Morgan-Mashale alleged that victims are being targeted based on personal financial information, reportedly obtained from insiders at institutions such as the Road Accident Fund, Government Employees Pension Fund, and others.
She alleged that the accused received information from lawyers and officials from those institutions, stating that suspects allegedly kidnap victims, force them to transfer money, and in some cases, kill them. One victim’s body in Thaba Nchu is allegedly still missing, and DNA evidence linked to the missing person was found in the vehicle of one of the accused police officers.
