A Chatsworth man accused of robbing a Durban grandmother of her SASSA grant money during their first date appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning. The 54-year-old faces a theft charge, with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirming that the case has been adjourned to February 17, 2025, for an identity parade and a possible bail application.
The 64-year-old victim, a resident of Isipingo, had met the man through the online dating platform Badoo. According to authorities, their first meeting took place last Wednesday when he picked her up from her home. The couple then traveled to Galleria Shopping Mall in Amanzimtoti, where she withdrew her SASSA grant.
What began as a seemingly innocent date soon took a drastic turn. After leaving the South Coast, the pair headed to Hazelmere Dam in Verulam, where they spent approximately three hours together. The woman was later driven to a nearby garage to freshen up. However, in a sudden and calculated move, the man sped off, leaving her stranded. He allegedly took her handbag, which contained R2,000 in cash and her mobile phone. Shortly after the incident, he deleted his Badoo profile, seemingly to cover his tracks.
The distraught victim and her family sought assistance from Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), who swiftly launched an investigation. By Thursday, the suspect was tracked down and arrested at his mother’s home in Montford, Chatsworth. RUSA officers found him in the bedroom and took him into custody.
During questioning, the man reportedly justified his actions by claiming the pensioner had become financially demanding after they engaged in sexual intercourse at the dam. He admitted to using R1,600 of the stolen money at Sibaya Casino, while the remaining R400 was spent on engine oil for his car.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda confirmed that Verulam police were investigating the theft case. Reports indicate that the woman left her handbag inside the suspect’s vehicle, and upon her return, she realized he had vanished with her belongings.
What started as an online connection quickly unraveled into a shocking betrayal, leaving the victim not only heartbroken but financially devastated. With the court proceedings underway, the man’s fate now lies in the hands of the justice system.
