Police trail con-woman on the rampage

Lebogang Baingapi | Thursday February 16, 2017 16:20

In one incident, she allegedly told the victim that she lives in a mine house and would like to rent out the servant’s quarters. She convinced the complainant to e-wallet the money citing high demand before disappearing after receiving the cash.

Officer-in charge at the Criminal Investigation Department, Assistant Superintendent Malatsi Baakile said in another incident, the woman, who goes by the name ‘Mma-Molefe’, persuaded another person to deposit money through cell phone banking claiming that she wanted to evict her husband’s relatives from the servant’s quarters. Baakile said police have received an alarming number of cases involving the same person.

“It is not easy to trace the suspect because the cell number used is not registered and she does not change the gadget she uses to insert the sim card on. No one has been arrested and we suspect she is working in a team. The public should be vigilant,” Baakile warned.

He said in some cases the victims are not shown the house and the “landlord” would call somebody in the presence of the victim to confirm that keys will be brought the following day.

He advised the public to only pay for rental accommodation after viewing the residence and receiving keys from a landlord.

Shortage of accommodation in Jwaneng is high, as many people flock to the town to look for employment. The situation has been exarcerbated by contractors who secure accommodation for their employees at a high price, leaving ordinary residents in the lurch, as they are not as financially strong.

However a local landlord, Thanaka Sebapi of Unit Two, said the blame should be directed at the Council, whose rates, she said, force them to increase rentals. She said renting is a business and it should be viewed as such.

“We charge looking at the market and inflation in the town,” she said.