Man, 75, and woman accused of drugging, and robbing him had met on Facebook

A 47-year-old woman, who met a 75-year-old pensioner on Facebook and travelled to his home using an e-hailing service, now faces allegations of drugging and robbing him, along with a 39-year-old accomplice. The two women were apprehended by Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) following a swift investigation.

According to RUSA’s Prem Balram, the pensioner had invited the women into his Riet River, Verulam home on Friday November 8.

The 47-year-old reportedly expected compensation for her visit. Once inside, the women offered to make tea for the pensioner, who later lost consciousness after drinking it. Hours later, he awoke to find his home ransacked. Cash, three mobile phones, Easternwear, several pairs of branded shoes, and other valuable items were missing. CCTV footage captured the women, both wearing face masks, as they left the scene.

Acting on a tip-off, RUSA officers then traced the 39-year-old suspect to her home in Chatsworth, Unit 11 Montford. She admitted to having accompanied her friend but claimed she didn’t know the pensioner had passed out. She co-operated with authorities, revealing the whereabouts of her accomplice, according to Mr Balram.

“The woman claimed she had accompanied a friend to the pensioner’s residence. She said that the elderly man had became incoherent after consuming the tea, and they departed with three bags filled with stolen goods after her friend had exited his bedroom. The suspect insisted she was unaware the pensioner had passed out and co-operated with authorities by identifying her accomplice’s location,” said Mr Balram.

RUSA officers subsequently located the 47-year-old woman at a crèche in Sunford, Phoenix. During questioning, she disclosed that the valuables taken from the pensioner's home had been handed over to a friend of her teenage son.

“During questioning, she admitted to meeting the pensioner through Facebook and visiting his home in an Uber, expecting compensation for her visit. She stated that the stolen valuables had since been given to a friend of her teenage son,” said Mr Balram.

Police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the women were handed over them by RUSA and they were currently being held at the Verulam police station awaiting further legal proceedings.