DURBAN, South Africa – A 54-year-old KwaZulu man accused of robbing a Durban pensioner on their first date has been granted bail.
The Verulam Magistrate’s Court released Salim Ismail on R1,000 bail on Monday after he spent more than two weeks in custody. Authorities arrested him in early February and charged him with theft.
How the Alleged Robbery Unfolded
According to authorities, Ismail met the 66-year-old woman on the dating site Badoo. After chatting online, he picked her up from Isipingo and drove her to Galleria shopping mall. At the mall, she withdrew her South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant before they continued their outing.
Their date eventually led them to Hazelmere Dam, where they spent some time together. However, the situation took a turn when they stopped at a petrol station. The woman claimed Ismail suddenly fled with her handbag and later deleted his Badoo profile, making it difficult to trace him.
Investigation and Arrest
Authorities later discovered that Ismail allegedly gambled most of the stolen money and used the rest to buy engine oil for his car. Police tracked him down to his mother’s house in Chatsworth, where they arrested him.
In a statement to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), Ismail claimed he took the woman’s belongings because she allegedly requested financial compensation for sexual favors. However, police have not confirmed his version of events.
Case Adjourned as Legal Battle Continues?
According to IOL, the court has postponed the case, with Ismail expected to return on March 26, 2025. The victim has yet to recover her stolen belongings, leaving her devastated by the betrayal.
This incident has sparked renewed concerns about the risks of online dating. Many fear that unsuspecting individuals, particularly the elderly, remain vulnerable to financial scams.
As the case moves forward, many are watching closely, hoping for justice in the Durban pensioner robbed on first date case.
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