An ex-cop is apparently on the run after a Pelican Park mom reported him to police for allegedly scamming her out of R10 000.
Single mom Tanya Lombard, 43, caused a stir on social media this week when she posted a picture of Eldred Fisher on Facebook, appealing for help in finding the former constable after he allegedly ran off with the R10 000 rental deposit she paid him.
The post has been shared nearly 1 500 times by Monday.
Lombard says she cares for her two children and mom-in-law, Marcie Mareldie, 79, who uses a wheelchair, and after being told the rent of their house would go up next year she started looking for alternative accommodation.
“It was going to be too expensive and a neighbour introduced me to Eldred, who told me he has a house in Lotus River that is wheelchair-friendly,” she explains.
DESTITUTE: Tanya Lombard, 43, from Pelican Park
“He said he is a retired police officer who left the force because seven of his relatives died and he could not take it anymore.”
Tanya says Fisher took her to view the house in Nita Road and told her the rent was R3 000 per month, with a deposit of R10 000 up front.
“My mother-in-law went to Nedbank and requested funds from an investment she made for my son’s education and they released the money to her,” says Tanya.
“We paid him in cash in July and were supposed to move in on 1 October. He had papers for the house and even gave us security codes for the alarm.”
But when she went around to the house at the end of last month, neighbours informed her that the house actually belonged to Fisher’s girlfriend, who does not want to be named.
“I spoke to (the girlfriend) and she told me the house was hers and he was lying. Both of us went to the police station to open a case and the cops told me I must try to find him and so I put it on Facebook,” says Tanya.
PROOF: Tanya’s R10 000 rental deposit
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, confirms a fraud case is being investigated.
On Monday, Grassy Park police searched the girlfriend’s house after being granted access by her son, who told officers that Fisher had run away.
The girlfriend, who is in hospital, declined an interview.
A police source confirms Fisher previously worked at Grassy Park Police Station and Wynberg Magistrates’ Court.
Tanya says Fisher has left them destitute.
“My lease at my current house ends in December and I don’t know what we will do. I know we will never get the money back, but I want him to be caught and prosecuted.”
Fisher could not be reached for comment.
If you know his whereabouts, please call Grassy Park SAPS on 021 700 3900.