Crime prevention warden among four arrested in fake kidnapping case
The four face charges of perjury, defeating the ends of justice, conspiracy to commit crime, theft of cash and extortion.
Four suspects are expected to appear in the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court today, January 20 after their arrest in a sham kidnapping case.
The four were arrested on January 17 after opening a fake kidnapping case and police had to use a helicopter to rescue them.
Rekord reported last week that police were on the lookout for an unknown number of suspects linked to the kidnapping and robbery of the four individuals, along the R80 highway near Akasia.
On January 14, police rescued the four victims, including a Gauteng crime prevention warden in Hammanskraal after being tipped off that the victims were being held hostage in Stinkwater, north of Pretoria.
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said upon further investigations, police found that the report was false.
“On January 14, a kidnapping of four people, including a crime prevention warden was reported at [the] Soshanguve police station and resources were immediately mobilised. After a few hours, the alleged victims were found unharmed in a bush next to New Nkandla informal settlement near Stinkwater,” Nevhuhulwi said.
The victims alleged that they were taken by unknown men in a white taxi, who transferred an undisclosed amount of money from their bank accounts and robbed them of their cellphones.
Upon further investigation, it was established that three of the alleged victims, actually staged the kidnapping to rob the fourth victim who is an aunt to one of the suspects.”
Nevhuhulwi said the taxi driver was traced so all four suspects including a crime prevention warden were arrested.
She reminded citizens that reporting a false case was a waste of the SAPS’ time and resources, which could be used effectively to investigate other serious cases.
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni urged community members to refrain from opening false cases.
“Perjury is an offence that is punishable by law. We will not tolerate any misuse of state resources.”
The Gauteng Traffic Police Airwing responded to a call for air support in the Akasia area along the R80, where four Gauteng Traffic Wardens had been kidnapped. Acting on crucial intelligence, officers were informed that the victims were being held in a house in Hammanskraal.… pic.twitter.com/bahLkvJtp2
— GP Department of Community Safety (@GP_CommSafety) January 16, 2025
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