A 60-year-old suspect has been arrested for extortion and impersonating a state official after allegedly promising a job in exchange for R15 000.
Image: File
Cracking down on fraud, police have arrested a 60-year-old man who allegedly posed as a state official and attempted to extort R15 000 from a woman by promising to secure her son a job in the Department of Correctional Services.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the suspect, Azwindini Gabriel Mugwari, was arrested on April 29 in the Sibasa area under the Thohoyandou policing precinct. Mugwari allegedly posed as a Department of Correctional Services officer and promised to help a woman secure employment for her son. The incident reportedly took place last year on September 11, 2024.
"It is alleged that on 11 September 2024, a female complainant was approached by an unknown African male who identified himself as a Correctional Services warder based in Thohoyandou. He claimed he could assist her son in securing employment within the Department of Correctional Services in exchange for a payment of R15 000. The two exchanged contact details."
He further stated that on September 12, 2024, the suspect contacted the complainant and requested an initial payment of R3 500. They met in Sibasa, where she handed over the cash. The suspect also took her son's documents, assuring her that training would commence soon.
Ledwaba added that four days later, the woman, accompanied by her son, met the suspect again and made additional payments as requested.
"On 16 September 2024, the complainant and her son met the suspect again at Thohoyandou SAPS, where they were asked to sign a document and provide an additional payment of R7 000 in cash," he added.
Shortly after the transaction, a concerned individual informed the complainant’s son that the suspect was not a government employee. Although initial efforts to locate the suspect failed, he was later found at the Thohoyandou taxi rank. He returned R5 000 and claimed to have spent
R2 000, promising to repay the remaining amount.
Ledwaba also shared that after the woman struggled to recover the remainder of her money, she opened a case at the nearest police station, and the suspect was soon apprehended.
"Following a formal complaint lodged on April 29, police opened a case and swiftly traced and arrested the suspect. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of a Correctional Services uniform," he said.
The 60-year-old suspect appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on April 30 and is expected to return on May 2 for a formal bail application.
Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Major General Samuel Manala, commended the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for their swift and effective work and issued a strong warning to those attempting to exploit vulnerable individuals.
He further urged community members to report any individuals who solicit money in exchange for employment opportunities and not fall victim to these unlawful schemes.
The Star
masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za