EVATON.- Seven suspects linked to a kidnapping and financial exploitation case in Small Farms were found guilty and sentenced by the Sebokeng Magistrate’s Court recently.

The incident occurred in 2023, when a female victim, who had received a Road Accident Fund (RAF) payout of R157 000, was approached by an unknown woman at her home. Alice Tshabalala, as the woman became known to the victim, pretended to be looking for her family and later befriended the victim.

When Alice didn’t show up for their regular get-togethers, the victim reached out and rescheduled.

According to police spokesperson Constable Thulisile Msibi, Alice arrived with a friend, and as they walked together, two vehicles approached them, with the drivers asking for directions to Thabong Shopping Centre in Sebokeng.

Suddenly, the men pulled out firearms, forcing the women into a Toyota Avanza. While held against her will, the victim was forced to hand over her cellphone and her bank account was drained, with funds transferred from her account.

The victim was also raped inside the vehicle.

Through the hard work and thorough investigation of Sergeant Mwale from the Vereeniging SAPS’ Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units (FCS), the accused were later all arrested.

All the accused, four women and three men, were sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment for kidnapping, eight years’ imprisonment for theft, and they were declared unfit to possess a firearm.