By staff reporter
POLOKWANE – Two suspects, a 34-year-old woman and her 60-year-old boyfriend, appeared before the Seshego Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 04 June, on charges of kidnapping and extortion following a discovery that the incident was staged.
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said in a statement that the incident unfolded on May 2, 2025, when a concerned husband reported his wife missing after she failed to arrive at her destination in Garawele Village, Mokopane. The complainant had dropped off his wife at the Tibane Crossroad hiking spot in Matlala, expecting her to travel to visit family.
When attempts to contact his wife that evening proved unsuccessful, the complainant suspected foul play and immediately reported the matter to Matlala SAPS.
During the process of providing his statement to police, the complainant received a distressing phone call from his wife’s cell phone. An unknown male voice demanded R5000.00 ransom money, while the sound of a woman crying could be heard in the background. The caller abruptly ended the call, only to phone again from a different number with further ransom demands.
However, a thorough police investigation revealed that there was no kidnapping. The woman had voluntarily left with her boyfriend, and both individuals had orchestrated the entire deception, including the ransom calls, to extort money from the unsuspecting husband.
Both suspects were subsequently arrested and detained at Matlala SAPS.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has issued a stern warning regarding such criminal deception.
“The SAPS will not tolerate individuals who manipulate family bonds and exploit genuine concern to commit fraud and extortion. This case demonstrates the emotional trauma and resource wastage caused by false reporting and criminal deception,” said Hadebe.
The matter was withdrawn at the request of the complainant.