Home News Residents vow to kill ‘job scammer’

Residents vow to kill ‘job scammer’

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“We were walking in the street when the suspect told us to provide him with our identity documents and CVs. He said he was recruiting four women.”

COMMUNITY members from Lerato Park who conducted a citizen’s arrest have vowed to assault and kill the suspect, whom they handed over to the Roodepan police station yesterday, if he is released from custody.

They complained that the police wanted to charge them for assaulting the suspect before he was taken to the police station for questioning.

Lerato Park resident Gloria Raadt stated that they were not prepared to wait until they were victims of crime before any action was taken.

“About two weeks ago, the suspect lured job seekers from their home in Bloemanda by telling them to report at the Civic Centre. During this time he entered their home and attempted to rape a 15-year-old girl. She is still a child who is attending school and struggles to sleep at night following the incident. Luckily, he ran away when she screamed for help. The suspect stole cellphones that were left to charge in residences in Lerato Park and Bloemanda,” said Raadt

Another community member, Anna Moholwane, added that the suspect had approached her yesterday and offered her employment at Sol Plaatje Municipality.

“We were walking in the street when the suspect told us to provide him with our identity documents and CVs. He said he was recruiting four women.”

She added that she had no reason to question his motives. “It was only when other community members warned me that the suspect was scamming people that I became suspicious.”

Another resident, Rebecca Oliphant, said the suspect was recognisable as he was always wearing the same clothes.

“The community is so desperate for work that we will do anything to find employment. I am worried about the safety of the suspect if he is released from police custody,” said Oliphant.

Police spokesperson Captain Bashaobile Kale said yesterday that a 35-year-old man was arrested on charges of theft under pretence.

“It is alleged that he promised young people work at Sol Plaatje Municipality. He apparently gathered them at a place before going back to their houses where he requested the family for their cellphones. He managed to get two cellphones from unsuspecting families and was subsequently arrested by an angry mob who handed him over to the Roodepan police,” said Kale.

He explained that the police advised the suspect to open charges after he sustained injuries as a result of being assaulted by the mob and was taken to hospital by the police before he was placed in custody.

“No suspect must be assaulted during the execution of a citizen’s arrest,” said Kale.

“The investigation continues.”

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