LIMPOPO – Jaco Opperman (33) appeared before the Modimolle Magistrates Court on Monday 29 January 2018 and was remanded in custody until 12 February 2018 for a formal bail application.
He appeared on charges of of fraud and escaping from lawful custody, Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said.
LIMPOPO – Opperman, who was allegedly granted bail through fraudulent means, will today appear in the Modimolle Magistrates Court on a charge of escaping from lawful custody.
Read more: Warrant of re-arrest issued for suspect after ‘wrongful release’
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo says a tip off from the community led police to Opperman’s hideout in Potchefstroom where he was re-arrested on Friday, 26 January.
“The suspect was hiding with a female he allegedly met on Facebook from 2017 under the false name, Herman Calitz,” Mojapelo explained.
Opperman was initially arrested in Witbank, Mpumalanga in August 2017 by Modimolle Detectives after defrauding several victims of cash.
“He had been advertising buffaloes for sale and was paid thousands of rands (+-60 000) before disappearing. Three cases of fraud were then opened against him and a search ensued,” Mojapelo said.
Read more: Man wanted for buffalo scam
Opperman appeared before the Modimolle Magistrate’s Court on 20 September 2017 and was remanded in custody. He was then taken to Pretoria for detention.
“He somehow managed to pay bail to the amount of R500, which was never granted during his court appearance. The suspect was supposed to appear again in the same court on Monday, 16 October 2017, but was nowhere to be found.”
Preliminary police investigations, at the time, pointed to possible aiding and abetting.
“A case of escaping from lawful custody has been opened against the suspect. Police have also opened cases of defeating the ends of justice and aiding and abetting against the magistrate and a police warrant officer. Criminal and internal investigations are still continuing in this regard,” Mojapelo concluded.
