On Friday (2/10), police received information about the suspect’s whereabouts. The information led officers to J-Section in Botshabelo, where the suspect was spotted and intercepted on his way to his residence.

The man, 37, was subsequently arrested and allegedly attempted to destroy his cell phone during the arrest, but police managed to stop him. Free State police spokesperson Sgt Palesa Thabana said officers confiscated the cell phone and SIM card for further investigation.

The arrest stems from an incident that occurred in Welkom on Friday, 14 August, where a pensioner, 67, was kidnapped and extorted for an amount of R55,000. On the day of the incident, the victim had a meeting with a female suspect who has since been arrested. She had arranged the meeting after she had promised to secure a mining job for the victim’s son.

“During the meeting at a parking lot, two males pretending to be police officials kidnapped the victim before they threatened and extorted money out of him.”

A case of kidnapping and extortion was registered at Welkom. During investigations, information was established on the whereabouts of one of the suspects.

“The male suspect was traced and arrested after investigations revealed he had been in contact telephonically with the victim before the incident to arrange for the meeting that was held between the pensioner and the female suspect.”

Further, information also revealed the male suspect had been in contact with the female suspect numerous times, linking him to the alleged kidnapping and extortion and ultimately the impersonation.

The male suspect was set to appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of impersonating a police official, kidnapping and extortion. He will appear alongside the first arrested suspect, who already made her first court appearance last week.

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