The Free State Police have arrested a suspect accused of defrauding multiple local businesses by falsely claiming to be a professional football player.
The suspect, who allegedly uses the name Junior Mahlangu, is accused of gaining the trust of business owners by stating he was a player for a Premier Soccer League (PSL) team in Gauteng. According to the investigation, he subsequently claimed to have been transferred to a PSL team based in Bloemfontein to further solidify his credibility.
Authorities report that the suspect used this fraudulent persona to target several establishments in the Bloemfontein area, primarily petrol stations, restaurants, and guest houses.
At the time of his apprehension, police recovered a black Volkswagen Golf 8 with registration number MT 51 CM GP from the suspect.
The individual appeared in court on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, facing multiple charges of theft and fraud. The case has been postponed to 23 February 2026 to allow for a formal bail application and further profiling of the accused.
While the investigating team states that a strong case has been compiled, they suspect there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. The South African Police Service has urged any business owner or individual who may have been defrauded by the suspect to report the incident immediately.
