Two women have been arrested for allegedly drugging and robbing a pensioner in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal. Private security officers from Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) made the arrests, later handing the suspects to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The incident reportedly occurred on November 8, 2024, when the two women visited the elderly man’s home, offering tea. After consuming the tea, the pensioner lost consciousness, only to wake up hours later to find his home ransacked.
Missing items included cash, cell phones, clothing, and other valuables. CCTV footage showed the suspects leaving with multiple bags of stolen goods.
RUSA, with help from local informants, traced one suspect to Chatsworth, Durban, where she confessed to visiting the pensioner with her friend. She claimed she observed him become incoherent after drinking the tea.
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The second suspect was found in Sunford, Phoenix, and said she had met the pensioner on Facebook, expecting compensation but unaware of any plan to drug him.
The case underscores the growing risk of using social media to target vulnerable individuals. SAPS confirmed both suspects remain in custody and may face charges for theft and possibly drugging the victim.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities urging the elderly to exercise caution online and be vigilant when inviting strangers into their homes.