Pixaby
A woman who allegedly faked her kidnapping, demanding a ransom from her family, appeared before the East London Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
40-year-old Namhla Makaka is accused of conspiring with a male accomplice to extort money from her family in October last year. She was arrested on 29 January.
Hawks spokesperson Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said investigators initially believed Makaka’s boyfriend was innocent when he reported receiving images and videos of her tied up, followed by a ransom demand.
However, he says the Hawks now believe that the boyfriend may have been involved in the kidnapping.
“The boyfriend opened a case with police, but our investigations reveal he is an accomplice. They were together in orchestrating the kidnapping.”
Mhlakuvana urged people not to misuse state resources and to avoid fake criminal activities.
“This lady has been charged with perjury for faking her own kidnapping. There have been a couple of fake kidnapping cases in Gqeberha, hence, we are discouraging this conduct because we take kidnapping as a serious offense.”
Mhlakuvana said investigations are continuing, and they are hoping for the boyfriend’s arrest very soon.
Makaka is expected back in court on 25 April.
She remains out in warning.
