2 Durban women accused of drugging & robbing a pensioner after making him tea! Two women were arrested in connection with an alleged scheme to drug and rob a pensioner in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal. The arrests were made by private security officers from Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), who handed the suspects over to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The incident has raised concerns over the targeting of elderly individuals and the growing use of social media in schemes aimed at defrauding victims.
Incident at the Pensioner’s Home
According to RUSA spokesperson Prem Balram, the incident occurred on Friday, November 8, 2024. The two women reportedly visited the pensioner’s home, under the pretense of a friendly visit, and offered to make tea.
After consuming the tea, the elderly man lost consciousness for several hours. He awoke to find his home had been ransacked, with cash, mobile phones, clothing items, branded shoes, and other valuables missing.
“The man woke up several hours later to find his house ransacked,” Balram reported. He explained that the two suspects had covered their faces with masks and were later captured on CCTV leaving the premises with multiple bags of stolen items.
Investigation and Capture of Suspects
RUSA officers launched an investigation following the pensioner’s report, working with local informants to track down the suspects.
Acting on leads, the officers traced one of the suspects to a residence in Chatsworth, a suburb of Durban. After conducting surveillance, they apprehended a 39-year-old woman in Montford, Chatsworth.
Balram stated that the suspect admitted to visiting the pensioner’s home with her friend, claiming that she observed the elderly man becoming incoherent after drinking the tea they had prepared.
She stated that her friend then entered the man’s bedroom, after which they both left the residence with three bags filled with valuables. According to her account, she was unaware that the pensioner had lost consciousness.
The first suspect then cooperated with the authorities, offering to lead RUSA officers to the residence of her alleged accomplice, a 47-year-old woman.
Arrest of the Second Suspect
The second woman was located at a crèche in Sunford, Phoenix. Upon questioning, she explained that she had met the pensioner on Facebook and agreed to visit him, expecting to receive compensation.
According to Balram, the woman claimed she took an Uber to the man’s house and maintained that she was not aware of the plan to drug him.
This account has drawn attention to the potential role of social media in targeting vulnerable individuals, as the woman claimed she had befriended the pensioner online and did not anticipate any criminal activity taking place during the visit.
Security Concerns and Growing Risks for the Elderly
This incident has underscored the growing risks elderly individuals face when meeting strangers, especially those they have connected with through social media.
Balram advised elderly citizens to exercise caution when inviting unfamiliar people into their homes and recommended that family members and caretakers remain vigilant.
The growing trend of using social media to establish relationships with vulnerable individuals for fraudulent purposes is concerning, as seen in this case.
Police and private security firms are urging the public to be cautious about sharing personal information on social platforms and inviting strangers into their homes.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
A formal case was opened at Verulam SAPS, and the police investigation is ongoing. SAPS spokesperson Robert Netshuinda confirmed that both suspects are in custody and will face charges related to theft and potentially drugging the victim.
The authorities are also reviewing the suspects’ backgrounds to determine whether they may be involved in similar incidents elsewhere.
“The investigation will determine if these suspects have any history of targeting elderly individuals through social media platforms,” stated Netshuinda.
Moving Forward: Increased Awareness and Security
In light of this case, local authorities and community groups are encouraging elderly residents to take additional precautions when using social media.
The rise in cases involving elderly individuals who are befriended online and later victimized has prompted calls for public awareness campaigns.
The suspects are expected to appear in court soon, and further details will emerge as the case progresses. The arrests highlight the need for increased vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable populations and the importance of reporting suspicious activity to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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