Pensioners drugged & robbed, female arrested
TONGAAT – A 46-year-old female sought for drugging and robbing an elderly pensioners was arrested in Tongaat yesterday morning.
Members of Reaction Unit South Africa were called out to Pensioners Cottage on Plein Street in Tongaat at approximately 10:46 after the suspect arrived to meet with a local councilor regarding subsidized housing.
Residents identified the female as a con woman who previously robbed one of the residents. On arrival, Reaction Officers also linked the 46-year-old woman to a robbery that occurred on Moss Street in Verulam on Tuesday (19/03/2024).
On the day of the incident, two women confronted a 67-year-old pensioner shortly after she left the Verulam Market. The smooth talking scammers befriended the victim and convinced her to allow them to accompany her to her home.
They discovered the victim’s 73-year-old husband at the residence upon their arrival. One of the scammers informed the pensioners that they were in possession of ashes that would cure any ailments they could be suffering from.
They boiled water and added the ashes. The elderly couple consumed the concoction and lost consciousness shortly thereafter. Their family discovered them in an unresponsive state during a wellness check several hours later. The male victim was located in the yard. He sustained bruising to several parts of his body. Cash, designer clothing and jewelry were missing from the house.
During an interview with Reaction Officers, the suspect confirmed that she and an accomplice had robbed several pensioners in the Ethekwini Region. She further stated that the second suspect was employed at a call centre and obtained contact details and identification numbers from their data base. In some cases, they would make telephonic contact with their elderly victims and convince them to meet.
She further stated that sleeping tablets were added to the ashes. She was expected to meet her accomplice in Tongaat to search for their next victim after her meeting with the local councilor. The suspect was restrained and detained at SAPS Verulam.
