The provincial organised crime unit, together with the Welkom- and Zamdela-based tactical response teams, has successfully traced and apprehended the 37-year-old. This followed an incident on 14 August, during which a 67-year-old pensioner was allegedly kidnapped and extorted out of R55,000.

Free State police spokesperson Sgt Palesa Thabane said the arrest took place after the suspect scheduled a meeting with the man about a prospective job opportunity. The meeting was held in the parking area in Potgieter Street in Dagbreek, Welkom.

Shortly thereafter, two unknown males impersonating police officials took both the victim and the suspect. The female suspect was reportedly dropped off outside Thabong police station.

The victim was then instructed to provide his bank cards and money was withdrawn from his bank account. Furthermore, he was instructed to go inside the bank, where he was forced to transfer money into two separate bank accounts, said Thabane.

“A photo of the suspect was captured during the meeting she held with the victim and the victim’s son. After the second meeting, which was only between the female and the victim, a case of kidnapping and extortion was reported to the police.”

The identity of the person of interest was later established after a media statement was published. “The woman’s identity was linked to one of the bank accounts into which the money was transferred. Police then received a tip-off about her whereabouts, leading to her arrest at Jabulani Hostel in Soweto.”

The investigation is at an advanced stage, and possible progress is expected to be made in tracing the remaining suspects.

“The two bank accounts and their account holders were identified, and investigations are still ongoing. The R55,000 allegedly extorted has not been recovered.”

OFM News/Siyakholwa Mbatyazwa sm

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