Man linked to Welkom pensioner’s alleged kidnapping and extortion to appear in court - IOL

A 37-year-old man linked to the alleged kidnapping and extortion of a pensioner, and impersonation of a police official, has been taken into custody.

A 37-year-old man linked to the alleged kidnapping and extortion of a pensioner, as well as impersonating a police official, is expected to appear at the Welkom Magistrate's Court on Monday. 

The man is the second person arrested in the matter. 

He was arrested during a collaboration between the Free State Organised Crime Investigation Unit, the Mangaung Metro Operational Command Centre (DOCC) Crime Combating Unit and the Selosesha Crime Intelligence. 

The provincial police spokesperson, Sergeant Palesa Thabana, said officers received information from Crime Intelligence on the whereabouts of the men on Friday which led the team to J-Section in Botshabelo. 

“The suspect was spotted and intercepted on his way to his residence. The suspect was subsequently arrested. During his arrest, he attempted to destroy his cellphone; however, police managed to derail him. Police confiscated a cellphone and SIM card for further investigation,” Thabana said. 

The arrest stems from an incident that occurred in Welkom on Friday, August 14, when a 67-year-old pensioner was kidnapped and extorted out of R55,000.

“On the day of the incident, the 67-year-old victim met with a female suspect who has since been arrested. The female suspect arranged the meeting after she promised to secure a mining job for the victim's son. During the meeting held at a parking lot, two African males pretending to be police officials kidnapped the victim before they threatened him and extorted money from him,” Thabana said.

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

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

“Further, information also revealed that 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,” Thabana said. 

The woman made her first appearance in court on October 1, while the man appears in the Welkom Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of impersonating a police official, kidnapping and extortion.