A 54-year-old man, accused of stealing a 66-year-old Isipingo pensioner’s Sassa grant during their first date after meeting on an online dating site, was granted bail following his appearance in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on February 24.

Salim Ismail of Chatsworth paid R1000 and was released until his next appearance.

Also read: Man arrested for date’s Sassa grant theft

He was tracked and arrested by Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) officers after he allegedly stole the woman’s bag which contained R2000, her Sassa card, mobile phone, and other belongings on February 4. At the time of his arrest, RUSA spokesperson Prem Balram said Ismail had told the officers that after picking up the woman near her home in Isipingo, they went to Galleria Mall where she withdrew her pension from an ATM.

The couple then drove to Hazelmere Dam in Verulam where they spent a few hours engaging in intimate activities in the car. After that, Ismail drove the complainant to a garage to freshen up.

“The suspect then sped off with her bag,” said Balram.

RUSA officers tracked and found Ismail at his mother’s house in Chatsworth and he was arrested. He allegedly revealed to RUSA officers that after fleeing, he drove to Sibaya Casino and lost R1600 at the slot machines. He said he used the remaining R400 to buy engine oil for his car.

He will appear in the same court again on March 26.

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