On Saturday (17/10), members of the Mangaung metro district operational command centre and Selosesha crime intelligence acted on information after an off-duty police officer spotted the suspect at about 22:00.

The 41-year-old was wanted in connection with a kidnapping and extortion investigation involving a pensioner, 67, who was allegedly extorted out of R55,000 in Welkom on 14 August, said Free State police spokesperson Sgt Palesa Thabane.

The suspect was apprehended near a tavern in J Section, Botshabelo, for kidnapping, extortion, and impersonating a police official. Police confiscated his cellphone, which will form part of the investigation. 

While tracing the suspect, police discovered that he had left his home in an apparent attempt to evade arrest, said Thabane.

On the day of the incident, the victim met with a woman, who has since been arrested. She had arranged the meeting after allegedly promising to secure a mining job for the victim’s son.

The 37-year-old was arrested after her identity was linked to one of the bank accounts into which the pensioner paid money to secure the job. Police later received a tip-off about her whereabouts, leading to her arrest at Jabulani Hostel in Soweto.

OFM News previously reported another man, 37, was arrested in September. He allegedly attempted to destroy his cellphone during the arrest, but police stopped him. Officers confiscated the cellphone and SIM card for further investigation.

They remain in custody and are expected to appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for a bail application, Thabane said.

The provincial organised crime unit said more suspects may be arrested in addition to the current three.

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