RUSTENBURG – The South African Police Service (SAPS) has expressed serious concern over two recent cases in the Bojanala Platinum District, in which alleged kidnappings were found to be either staged or linked to criminal conduct by the reported victims themselves.
Staged Kidnapping in Marikana
In the first case, reported in Marikana, 41-year-old Ms Sizeka Mankantshu allegedly staged her own kidnapping with the assistance of 41-year-old Lesotho national Morris “Sgubu” Radiete.
A coordinated investigation by Crime Intelligence, Detectives, and Cyber Crime Intelligence Collection revealed that Ms Mankantshu was never kidnapped. Instead, she conspired with Radiete to extort money from her husband. Evidence showed that she had been hiding at the residences of Radiete and his girlfriend.
During the operation, cell phones previously reported stolen in a robbery were recovered. Both suspects were arrested and charged with Defeating the Ends of Justice, Extortion, and Illegal Immigration (in respect of Radiete).
The duo appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 12 February 2026, and were remanded in custody until their second court appearance for a formal bail application on Thursday, 19 February 2026. Investigators believe the motive was financial distress, as Ms Mankantshu was heavily indebted and unable to repay creditors.
Rustenburg Mall Kidnapping Linked to Fraud
In a separate incident on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, a 36-year-old woman was allegedly kidnapped at Rustenburg Mall, with a ransom demanded from her family.
A multidisciplinary intelligence-led operation traced the woman to Bokamoso Settlement, where she was found unharmed on Thursday, 12 February 2026. Further investigation revealed that she had allegedly defrauded several jobseekers from Boitekong, Ikemeleng, and Bokamoso by promising employment at a local mine and charging R2 000–R3 500 per person.
Two women, Gomotsegang Litsietsa (28) and Nolitha Nong (54), were arrested for kidnapping after it was established that they had kept the victim at a residence while demanding repayment. They appeared in court on Friday, 13 February 2026, were granted R2 000 bail each, and will next appear on Thursday, 9 April 2026.
The alleged victim, Chahane Tsholofelo (36), was subsequently arrested and charged with Fraud and Theft under False Pretences. She appeared in court on Friday, 13 February 2026, and was granted R1 500 bail, with her next court appearance scheduled for Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
SAPS continues to stress the importance of reporting criminal activity truthfully, noting that staged incidents and fraudulent schemes divert critical resources and undermine public trust in law enforcement.
