A huge sum of R42 000 was stolen from an elderly woman by suspects who posed as police officials.
The charge that was opened was for theft under false pretences.
The morning of Wednesday, July 27 Miss Chirstina Ngubeni was at Saveways Crescent shopping where she draw money. After withdrawing R2 000 she went to a shop nearby and thereafter headed to another bank where she would deposit the money to one of her relatives.
On her way there, the 66-year-old woman ran into a man alerting her that someone had just smeared something black on her hand of which he also had. When Ngubeni looked over her right hand she indeed had a black stain.
After sometime a white vehicle came with two occupants that posed as police officials offering a helping hand to the two victims. They got inside the car and starting searching for the thief. He was chased and caught in the centre.
The alleged police man received a phone call stating that there was a similar case in Kriel and it was very urgent that the team drove there to arrest the suspect.
As they drove Ngubeni and the other victim were asked to handover the money they had, which they did.
When they arrived at Kriel the other victim and Ngubeni were instructed to withdraw money from the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) as that money will serve as evidence to the police for further investigation. The ATM at Kriel was offline and as a result they drove to Bethal, which is where the money withdrawal took place.
R40 000 and R55 000 were given to the alleged police from Ngubeni and the victim respectively. They drove back to eMalahleni and stopped at Klipfontein where she was asked to go to a shop to buy milk and by the time she came out, the men were nowhere to be seen. She waited for 10 minutes hoping they will return but to no luck. A whopping R42 000 had just slipped through her fingers.
Ngubeni indicates that she won’t be able to identify the men and does not recall the registration number of the vehicle they were travelling in.
“I was very confused. I really think they hypnotised me, how do you explain someone that walks in the bank to withdraw such a huge sum. They really made me think they were police officials,” said Ngubeni.
She further stated that she is the bread winner and has children to look after.
“That was my hard earned money, now the people I am looking after have to suffer,” mentioned an angry Ngubeni.
It is alleged that these four suspects might know each other and are working together.
Investigator of the case Warrant Officer Mushi Rampedi warns residents to be very careful especially when it comes to money. He says the public must be on a lookout for thieves that pose as police officers trying to steal items or money from people.
“Please be extra careful. Rather be safe than sorry,” W/O Rampedi strongly stated.
ALSO READ:
Four police arrested for corruption
‘Don’t hit me!’ woman screams to police
