One of the most sought-after men in Lejweleputswa, Charles Sekonyela (also known as Moruti), is wanted for extortion and kidnapping cases in Welkom and Odendaalsrus.
He is wanted in a case of kidnapping and extortion that occurred during April 2022.
A 59-year-old mine pensioner was defrauded of R43 000 by three men and a woman on 21 September 2022.
According to Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the police in Lejweleputswa, the suspects knew that he had received his pension money and approached him under the presence of selling a vehicle. He was to have made a full payment.
“Sekonyela introduced himself as a car dealer and misled the victim that they must travel to Bloemfontein for change of ownership. While travelling to Bloemfontein, he parked beside the road to pick up a male person who pretended to be a hitchhiker. This man is also a suspect in the case. The hitchhiker asked Sekonyela to go to his home so that he can pay for the lift,” says Thakeng.
When they arrived at the house, the three went inside. Subsequently, there was a knock at the door and bogus police officers entered. “They demanded to search the house and the bogus police officers found gold-like material in the house. They demanded cash for their release. This is when Sekonyela forced the pensioner to go with him to the bank to withdraw R10 000,” says Thakeng.
The pensioner was then informed by Sekonyela that he will come on another day to change ownership of the vehicle. The complainant never received the vehicle that he had paid for. The pensioner was defrauded of R53 000.
Sekonyela is also wanted for extortion in a case that occurred during June 2021 in Welkom.
“Anyone who might know of the whereabouts of Charles Sekonyela must contact the Provincial Organised Crime unit on 072-190-7271, or the Crime Stop number at 08600-10111.
