Durban -
She looks like a schoolgirl in distress. Dressed in a uniform and carrying a bag with the words “I am proud of myself” handwritten on it, this 18-year-old girl from KwaNgcolosi, near Hillcrest has been conning motorists with her sad stories and robbing them in the process.
It is alleged that there are at least five people who have been hoodwinked by the smooth-talking schoolgirl. All of them had valuables stolen, but only one reported the case to the police.
The teenager, who cannot be named because she has not yet appeared in court, has been charged with theft and released into the custody of her foster aunt.
She claims she is a minor, but her birth certificate shows she will turn 19 next month.
The Grade 9 pupil was arrested earlier this month after a motorist, Michael Wright, reported that his iPad had been stolen by her.
He claims he came across the sobbing girl sitting on the side of the road in Hillcrest and stopped to help.
According to a Facebook post, the girl allegedly begged him to take her to her aunt’s house in Everton Road, Gillitts.
En route she told him how her parents had been bitten by snakes and died.
Feeling sorry for her, Wright said he drove to the Oxford market to draw cash from the ATM to give to the girl while she waited in the car.
He gave her R400 and dropped her off at the market.
Wright only found out that his iPad was missing when he drove off.
He alerted his wife, who reported the incident on the Upper Highway Facebook page.
Others soon came forward, saying they too, had been conned.
The schoolgirl lives with her aunt.
“Her parents passed away many years ago and she has been living with me since,” said the distressed aunt.
The investigating officer said she was not aware that the girl was over 18 and that is why she had been released into her aunt’s custody.
The police have confirmed her arrest and the girl will appear in court next month.
Sunday Tribune