A third suspect has been added to a case involving a woman who allegedly staged her own kidnapping in Kwa-Thema, East of Johannesburg.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says 43-year-old Nomasonto Mokwane has been added to the case against 37-year-old Ntombifuthi Mavis Rumo and 28-year-old Bonginkosi Mndebele.

The accused appeared before the Kwa-Thema Magistrates’ Court in connection with the alleged staging of Rumo’s kidnapping.

All three accused face a charge of defeating the administration of justice; Mndebele faces an additional charge of assault for allegedly assaulting police officers during his arrest and was shot.

The NPA’s Lumka Mahanjana says the matter has been postponed to Friday for a bail application.

She says the state intends to oppose their release on bail.

“It is alleged that on 7th October 2026, the three accused met and discussed staging Rumo’s kidnapping because they were experiencing financial difficulties. They allegedly contacted Rumo’s family and demanded money for her release. When the family was unable to pay the money demanded, Rumo was allegedly released on 12 October 2026 and left on Vlakfontein Road, where her family was asked to collect her. Following a police investigation into the reported kidnapping, Rumo was arrested on 20th October 2026 after her husband brought her to the police. Following her arrest, she allegedly pointed out Mndebele to the police. Mokwane was arrested on 27 October 2026 at a hospital where she was receiving medical treatment.”

#sapsGP [UPDATE: KWA THEMA WOMAN ARRESTED FOR STAGING HER KIDNAPPING]

The 37-year-old woman who was allegedly kidnapped and rescued at Kwa-Thema has been arrested together with her accomplice for staging the kidnapping.

The two suspects were arrested on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, following intensive investigations by #SAPS Kwa-Thema detectives, the #AntiKidnapping Unit and Crime Intelligence.
Investigations revealed that the woman allegedly conspired with her accomplice to stage the kidnapping in an attempt to extort money from her cousin.

Both suspects are expected to appear before court on charges of defeating the ends of justice, #extortion and staging a crime scene.

The police in Gauteng strongly warn members of the public against making false reports or staging criminal incidents as such actions divert critical police resources from genuine cases and undermine efforts to combat crime and protect communities.
Members of the public are further urged to use police services responsibly and provide truthful information when reporting criminal incidents.

#FightingCrime #TrioCrimes #SaferCommunities ST

https://t.co/xIHycwjdSx

— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) October 21, 2026