- A 37-year-old Kwa-Thema woman who was reported as a kidnapping victim has been taken into custody alongside an accomplice
- SAPS Kwa-Thema detectives, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Crime Intelligence worked together to crack the case after intensive investigations
- Both suspects now face charges of extortion, defeating the ends of justice and staging a crime scene
Source: Getty Images
GAUTENG — A 37-year-old woman from Kwa-Thema who was initially reported as a kidnapping victim has been arrested after police established that she orchestrated the entire incident herself.
The arrest took place on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, and also netted a second suspect described as the woman's accomplice. The breakthrough followed a joint investigation by the SAPS Kwa-Thema detective unit, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Crime Intelligence.
How the fake kidnapping unfolded
Investigators established that the woman conspired with her accomplice to fabricate the kidnapping, with the motive being financial gain. The scheme was specifically designed to extort money from her cousin, who was led to believe she was in genuine danger.
Both suspects are expected to appear in court facing three charges: extortion, defeating the ends of justice, and staging a crime scene.
Police warn against false reports
Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi used the occasion to caution the public against filing fraudulent reports or manufacturing criminal incidents. "These divert critical police resource from genuine cases and undermines efforts to combat crime and protect communities," she said.
The Gauteng police echoed that warning, urging residents to use police services responsibly and to provide accurate information when reporting criminal matters. Authorities stressed that fabricated incidents consume resources that would otherwise be directed at real emergencies and genuine victims.
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Limpopo couple arrested for fake kidnpping
In similar news,two individuals were arrested in Limpopo after police discovered that a kidnapping reported to authorities was entirely fabricated, with the alleged victims having orchestrated the scheme themselves. The case came to light when relatives based in Senwabarwana, in the Capricorn District, received a threatening phone call from an unknown caller demanding R50,000 in exchange for the safe return of a 28-year-old woman. The caller warned that she would be killed if the money was not deposited before 8am.
Soweto man arrested for extortion
Briefly News also reported that a Soweto man thought he had the perfect plan. Instead, it landed him in handcuffs. Gauteng police confirmed the arrest of a 28-year-old Soweto resident who allegedly faked his own kidnapping in a bid to extort R100,000 from his family. The case came to light on Monday, 4 August 2026, when family members contacted SAPS Johannesburg Central, reporting that an unknown group had abducted the man and was demanding money for his release.
Source: Briefly News
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