Woman arrested for allegedly staging own kidnapping
Gauteng woman and accomplice arrested after being accused of staging her kidnapping to extort R40k from cousin.
A WOMAN (37), who allegedly staged her own kidnapping to extort R40 000 from her cousin, has been arrested alongside an accomplice in Kwa-Thema, Gauteng.
As reported by The Witness, the two suspects were arrested by police on Tuesday following an investigation by Kwa-Thema detectives, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Crime Intelligence.
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According to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the woman conspired with her accomplice to stage the kidnapping in an attempt to obtain money from her cousin.
Nevhuhulwi said the suspects are expected to appear in court on charges of defeating the ends of justice, extortion and staging a crime scene.
The kidnapping was first reported to police on 8 October after a family member received ransom demands of R40 000 from individuals using the woman’s cellphone.
According to police, the family was contacted again two days later and told that the woman would be dropped off along Vlakfontein Road.
Police officers, accompanied by family members, went to the location, where they found the woman with injuries to her hands. She was taken to hospital for medical treatment.
The incident initially appeared to be a genuine kidnapping, prompting a full-scale investigation involving specialised police units.
However, further investigations allegedly uncovered evidence linking the woman and her accomplice to the planning of the kidnapping.
Police have warned members of the public against making false reports or staging criminal incidents, saying such actions divert critical resources from genuine cases and undermine efforts to combat crime.
Members of the public are further urged to use police services responsibly and provide truthful information when reporting criminal incidents.
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