Cops bust 'kidnapped' wife
2009-07-03 14:26
Pretoria - A Pretoria woman, who pretended to be kidnapped, has been arrested after she was caught in her pyjamas at her boyfriend's flat, police said on Friday.
Captain Colette Weilbach said the woman and her boyfriend - both in their 40s - were arrested in Dunnottar, Nigel, on the East Rand on Thursday night and were charged with defeating the ends of justice.
"The whole operation wasted more than four hours of precious police time and resources that could have been used more optimally to prevent or investigate other crimes," said Weilbach.
She said earlier on Thursday the woman phoned her husband in Jan Niemand Park to say that she was on her way home after working in Johannesburg.
About half-an-hour later the husband received a SMS telling him that he must not look for his wife and that he must not involve the police.
At 18:00, after calls to his wife's phone went unanswered, a "very concerned husband" went to the Villieria police station to report a kidnapping.
Weilbach said police immediately started an investigation and involved additional manpower and resources from specialised units to assist with the search.
A tracking device in the woman's Toyota Yaris was activated and led more than 10 police officers to an address in Dunnottar where they saw the car in a parking bay at a block of flats.
"After some enquiries, they learnt that a female driver... often seen at the block of flats got out of the vehicle. The police were directed to a flat where the lady allegedly visits on a regular basis," said Weilbach.
When no-one answered the door, police forced their way inside.
"Once inside the flat they found the missing wife in her pyjamas and another man with whom she allegedly has a relationship.
Weilbach said the woman would be held accountable for the financial implications of the investigation.
- SAPA