19/10/2026
[LIMPOPO PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER WARNS AGAINST MISUSE OF POLICE RESOURCES FOLLOWING ALLEGED FALSE KIDNAPPING REPORT]
Two suspects, aged 43 and 28, have been charged with extortion, perjury, and defeating or obstructing the course of justice following an investigation into an alleged kidnapping reported in Senwabarwana, Capricorn District, in Limpopo.
On Saturday, 17 October 2026, members of Limpopo Organised Crime Investigations, National Crime Intelligence for Kidnappings and Hillbrow Detectives conducted an intelligence-driven operation in Gauteng in connection with the reported kidnapping.
The case was initially reported after the victim’s relatives allegedly received a call from an unknown person demanding R50 000. The caller reportedly threatened to kill the victim before 08:00 if the money was not deposited.
During the investigation, the 43-year-old male suspect, who is the alleged victim’s boyfriend, was traced and arrested. He reportedly informed police that he had taken the 28-year-old woman to his family homestead in Jane Furse, Sekhukhune District.
Police proceeded to the identified homestead, where the woman was found. She appeared to be in good condition, had no visible injuries and did not report any complaints.
Further investigations raised suspicions that the reported kidnapping may have been fabricated and that the police may have been deliberately misled. The male suspect had allegedly made a statement under oath that he did not know the woman’s whereabouts, resulting in the perjury charge.
Both suspects were subsequently taken to Senwabarwana SAPS, where a case was opened. They face charges of extortion, perjury, and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 October 2026.
The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers, has warned against the misuse of police resources through the reporting of allegedly false criminal incidents.
“Police resources are limited and must be directed towards genuine cases that threaten the safety and security of our communities. Deliberately misleading the police, making false statements under oath and demanding money through threats are serious matters that may result in criminal prosecution. We urge members of the public to provide truthful information and to refrain from abusing the criminal justice system,” said Lieutenant General Scheepers.