Police in Makhado have apprehended a 54-year-old woman who has been on the run since 2017, when she was wanted in connection with various crimes of fraud and theft by misrepresentation.
“This after she allegedly defrauded a lot of unsuspecting job seekers and persons aspiring to acquire nursing qualifications,” said Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.
The woman allegedly managed bogus nursing colleges and illegally registered naive students under the pretense of obtaining nursing diplomas.
“The victims were also assured of employment across the province upon completion of their studies. The suspect’s fraudulent dealings were unmasked when it was eventually discovered that the colleges were not authentic,” Mojapelo said.
“The students immediately opened cases of fraud and theft under false pretences against the woman in Polokwane, Morebeng, Thohoyandou, Waterval and other places in Gauteng Province.”
According to police, the woman eluded arrest and has been on the run since 2017, when she escaped South Africa for Nigeria.
“The breakthrough happened on Saturday 10 March 2023, when detectives from Makhado received information about the wanted suspect returning to South Africa from Nigeria, and that she would be arriving at OR Tambo International Airport at midday,” Mojapelo said.
As the woman arrived at the busy airport at midday, the detectives pounced.
Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe, the provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, praised the officers who apprehended the wanted woman.
The suspect is scheduled to appear today at the Louis Trichardt Magistrate’s Court.
The police investigation is still ongoing.