BY Motshwari Mofokeng
A robbery case involving a 66-year-old grandmother who was allegedly targeted after meeting a man through the Badoo dating app has been withdrawn after the complainant accepted R4,000 in compensation through an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process.
The matter was due to continue in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court last week, but proceedings ended before the trial began after the complainant agreed to the settlement.
The incident dates back to February 2025, when the pensioner met 54-year-old Salim Ismail for the first time after chatting with him online for three months. She had told him she planned to withdraw her SASSA grant and that of her 84-year-old mother.
Ismail allegedly offered to drive her to the ATM before spending the day together.
After visiting Hazelmere Dam, the pair stopped at a service station where the woman went to the restroom. Police allege Ismail drove away with her handbag containing cash, bank cards, identity documents and a cellphone.Reaction Unit South Africa officers later tracked down the suspect in Chatsworth using CCTV footage and arrested him.
He allegedly admitted taking the woman’s belongings and spending much of the stolen money.The case serves as a reminder for people, especially older citizens, to exercise extreme caution when meeting individuals through online dating platforms.
Email:motshwari@onenews.co.za
