A 54-year-old woman from NkowaNkowa in Limpopo has been taken into police custody after authorities discovered she had been locking up men inside her home in what officers described as an unlawful, makeshift “prison.”
Police say the woman, who operates a small bar from her residence, had converted part of her home into a holding area where she kept patrons she accused of refusing to pay for alcohol or causing disturbances while drunk. According to investigators, the detentions began on 2 December 2025, and at least 36 men were confined over the past weeks.
Some of the detainees told police they were locked up after failing to settle their bar tabs, while others said they were held because the woman believed they were violent toward women when intoxicated. In many cases, the men were only released once they sobered up or agreed to pay what she claimed they owed.
The woman reportedly defended her actions by saying she was trying to maintain order and protect female customers from abusive behaviour. Her arrest, however, has drawn sharp criticism from law enforcement, who say no individual has the right to detain another person under any circumstance.
She now faces multiple charges, including kidnapping, assault, and operating an illegal detention facility.
The case has stirred debate in NkowaNkowa. Some residents say the woman was reacting to long-standing issues around rowdy behaviour at local bars, while others believe she crossed a line and placed people at risk by taking the law into her own hands.
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Police have urged tavern owners and community members to report violent incidents or unpaid bills through the proper channels rather than resorting to unlawful methods.
The accused is expected to appear in court in the coming days.
