KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested a 47-year-old woman after she staged and faked her own kidnapping demanding ransom from her businessman husband.
It is understood officers received a complaint of a woman who was allegedly kidnapped in Phoenix on Monday.
Fake kidnapping
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the woman left her husband’s business premises to use a restroom at her home, which is situated a short distance from the establishment.
“Few moments later, her husband received a phone call from her, reporting that she was kidnapped and pleaded with him to deposit an undisclosed amount of money for her release. A short while later the husband received another call from a man who threatened to hurt the woman if the money was not paid.”
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Perjury
Netshiunda said after investigating the alleged kidnapping, it was revealed that the woman faked the abduction.
“She was duly charged with perjury. Police are sending a strong warning to anyone who is contemplating to fake their own kidnappings for any reason or waste state resources by opening false cases.”
Kidnapping
“Kidnapping is not a matter to joke about and police have been working hard and stretching resources in a quest to prevent kidnappings, which had seen a slight increase of late,” Netshiunda said.
The woman is expected to appear before the Verulam Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
KZN shooting
Meanwhile, KZN police have also arrested an 18-year-old suspect following a mass shooting incident over the weekend in Umbumbulu.
Six people were shot and killed at Empandwini Resort, in the Entabeni area, on Saturday evening in a suspected drug-related shooting.
Netshiunda said the 18-year-old suspect was nabbed on Monday, after intensive police investigations.
“He is suspected of being behind the killing of the six people, including two sisters who were found dead with gunshot wounds.
Additional reporting by Thapelo Lekabe
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