BLOEMFONTEIN: The fraud and extortion case involving a 40-year-old man from Botshabelo has taken a new twist following his release. Police, including the Bloemfontein Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, arrested the man on Tuesday, 26 August.
This was following allegations that he demanded money in exchange for information regarding planned armed robberies in the three Mangaung Metro towns: Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, and Thaba Nchu.
Lt. Col Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, has confirmed the release of the suspect and that the hearing did not take place as the matter was not placed on the court roll. Initially, the unidentified man was due to appear in Bloemfontein Magistrates Court yesterday – Thursday – facing charges of fraud, extortion, and defeating the ends of justice.
However, Mohobeleli said the Parkweg police in Bloemfontein are continuing with the investigation regarding the suspect’s alleged extortion and false robbery claims. The police have since confiscated cellphones they believed the suspect used to orchestrate false robbery claims.
In a statement, police reported that the suspect allegedly made telephone calls to various business owners in three towns ‘alerting’ them about planned robberies. These businesses include a cash-in-transit management security company, supermarkets, and a construction equipment and home improvement retail store.
Mohobeleli said the man allegedly demanded money in exchange for additional information about planned robberies which proved to be false. He said those businesses had deployed additional resources in anticipation of the robberies.
