On Friday, 23 October at about 23:30 a group of suspects allegedly entered a house in A-Section, Botshabelo. Some of them wore police reflector jackets and were posing as police officers. “They allegedly kidnapped a couple under the pretence of arresting them,” said Free State police spokesperson Lt. Col. Thabo Covane.

The couple was blindfolded and taken away in a white VW Polo Vivo, while their grey Toyota Corolla was also stolen and driven to an unknown location.

On Saturday, 24 October their family were alerted by the couple’s bank about suspicious large withdrawals from their account. The bank also informed them the victims could not be reached telephonically to confirm the transactions.

“When the family managed to contact the victims, they informed them under duress that they were staying at a hotel in Bloemfontein and would return on Sunday.”

They were released by the suspects on Sunday. However, they initially did not report the incident to the police because the suspects had threatened to kill them and their family members if they did so.

The couple was allegedly extorted for an undisclosed amount of money. A case was opened only on the Monday.

Members of the provincial Crime Intelligence shared information with the Mangaung Metro Operational Command Centre Crime Combating Unit after receiving a request for assistance from the police.

“The Evaton police wanted to identify the owner of a cell phone number linked to an individual from Botshabelo who was communicating with a person who had reported suspicious deposits into his bank account,” said Covane.

The Selosesha Crime Intelligence members were tasked with identifying the cellphone number's owner.

“The owner was identified as a former police sergeant, 33, who was stationed at Tweespruit. He resigned in April after being arrested in connection with a business robbery at a chain store in Ladybrand.”

His vehicle was also identified as a white VW Golf 6. Police further established the suspect was planning to travel from Botshabelo to Bloemfontein. He was arrested near the mall.

The former police sergeant faces charges of kidnapping, impersonating a police official, extortion and car theft. Police also seized a blue Samsung A06 valued at R8,999 and a blue Itel cell phone valued at R300.

Covane said the suspect was out on R10,000 bail in connection with the business robbery in Ladybrand.

OFM News sm

• Have a news tip to share? Phone or whatsapp the OFM News Hotline: 066 487 1427.