A 66-year-old Durban grandmother was left heartbroken and robbed after a man she met on a dating site stole her SASSA grant money and cellphone. The woman, a pensioner from Isipingo, had connected with a 54-year-old man from Chatsworth on the Badoo dating app. Their meeting began with promises of companionship, but it soon turned into a nightmare.
The man picked her up from Isipingo on Wednesday, and they made their way to Galleria Mall in Amanzimtoti, where she withdrew her monthly SASSA grant of R2,000. From there, they drove to Hazelmere Dam in Verulam, where the day took a dark turn. After spending about three hours together, the man drove the woman to a garage to freshen up. It was at this point that he seized the opportunity to snatch her bag, which contained the R2,000 in cash and her mobile phone, before speeding off. He also deleted his dating profile on Badoo to cover his tracks.
The victim, along with her family, approached Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) for help. After a thorough investigation, the suspect’s car was traced to Montford in Chatsworth. The man was subsequently arrested in his bedroom, where he was living with his mother.
RUSA’s head, Prem Balram, revealed that the man’s decision to flee was prompted by the victim’s increasing demands for financial assistance after they had engaged in sexual activity at Hazelmere Dam. In an unexpected twist, after stealing the woman’s money, the suspect drove to Sibaya Casino, where he lost R1,600 at the slot machines. He used R400 of the stolen money to purchase engine oil for his vehicle.
A case of theft was opened at Verulam SAPS, and the police have been contacted for an update on when the suspect will appear in court. The elderly woman’s ordeal highlights the dangers of online dating, particularly for vulnerable individuals seeking companionship.
