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Police arrest woman, 37, over alleged staged kidnapping in Kwa-Thema

Published

Gauteng police arrested the woman and an alleged accomplice on Wednesday. Police allege she staged her own abduction to extort R40,000 from her cousin, and both are expected to appear in court.

Police said the pair face charges of defeating the ends of justice, extortion and staging a crime scene. Gauteng police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said both suspects are expected to appear in court.

The woman was reported missing on 8 October. Police said a ransom demand of R40,000 was sent to her family, allegedly from her cellphone.

Police said false reports and staged crimes divert investigators from cases where people are genuinely in danger. The police in Gauteng warned the public against making false reports or staging criminal incidents.

Key facts

Who
Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi (Provincial police spokesperson, Gauteng); Unnamed 37-year-old woman (Arrested suspect, allegedly staged her own kidnapping); Dineo Evelyn Motapane (38-year-old woman whose body was found beside a road in Kwa-Thema in…); Ekurhuleni woman, 37 (allegedly staged her own kidnapping; arrested)
What
Police arrested a 37-year-old woman and her alleged accomplice on Wednesday over an alleged staged kidnapping used to extort R40 000 from her cousin. The pair are expected to appear in court on charges including extortion, staging a crime scene and defeating the ends of justice.
When
21 October 2026
Where
KwaThema, Johannesburg, Gauteng
Status
Reported

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