BLOEMFONTEIN - A former South African Police Service (SAPS) sergeant has been arrested on charges of kidnapping, extortion, impersonating a police official and theft of a motor vehicle following an intelligence-led operation in Botshabelo.
According to the authorities, the incident occurred on 23 October 2026 when a group of suspects allegedly posed as police officers and abducted a couple from their home in A-Section, Botshabelo.
Police said the suspects wore police reflector jackets and entered the residence, convincing the victims that they were being arrested.
“The victims were blindfolded and taken in a white VW Polo Vivo, while their grey Toyota Corolla was also taken and driven to an unknown address,” Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said.
The following day, family members became concerned after the victims' bank alerted them to suspicious withdrawals of large sums of money.
When relatives eventually contacted the victims, the couple reportedly indicated that they were at a hotel in Bloemfontein and would return later.
Police said the victims later revealed they had made these statements under duress while being held captive.
“The victims were later released by the suspects on Sunday but did not report the crime to the police as the suspects threatened to kill them and their family members should they report,” Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane said.
Authorities said an undisclosed amount of money was extorted from the victims before their release.
The investigation gained momentum on 26 October when Provincial Crime Intelligence received information from Evaton SAPS regarding suspicious bank deposits linked to a cell phone number belonging to an individual from Botshabelo.
Investigators identified that the cell phone number belonged to a 33-year-old former SAPS sergeant who had previously been stationed at Tweespruit SAPS.
The operation resulted in the suspect's arrest near a shopping mall in Botshabelo.
The suspect was subsequently arrested for kidnapping, extortion, impersonating a police official and theft of a motor vehicle.
Police also confiscated two cell phones during the arrest, including a Samsung A06 and an Itel device, which were booked into the Botshabelo Evidence Management System as evidence.
Investigators further discovered that the suspect was already out on bail in another matter.
"It was further established that the suspect was still on bail of R10,000 for business robbery in Ladybrand," the statement added.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Botshabelo Magistrate's Court, while investigations into the matter continue.