KWA-THEMA - The case against a woman accused of staging her own kidnapping in an attempt to extort R40,000 from her cousin has been postponed to 29 October for bail application.
The 37-year-old woman made a brief appearance before the Kwa-Thema Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where she faces charges of defeating the ends of justice.
Her co-accused, a man believed to be her accomplice, appeared in absentia since he has been detained in hospital.
Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana said the man sustained injuries during his arrest.
“The state intends to oppose the accused person's release on bail. However, today, because it was a short appearance, the matter was postponed to the 29th of October for bail investigations, and also for the co-accused who is currently in hospital to join this accused,” she said.
Mahanjana said at this stage, they cannot delve into evidence against the accused because the docket still needs to be disclosed to the defence.
However she mantained that the state has a strong case against the accused.
The woman was reported missing by her family on 7 October, amid the discovery of women’s bodies in various parts of Ekurhuleni.
Her alleged captors demanded R40,000 for her safe return.
Her family also received threatening messages and a video showing her naked and injured, pleading with her mother for help.
The woman was dropped off near a cemetery on 10 October.
Investigations subsequently raised suspicions that the kidnapping had been staged.