Dedicated and committed police officers from West Rand and Ekurhuleni Districts arrested nine of the law enforcement officers who are suspected of committing crimes that include house robbery, extortion and corruption. Out of those arrested, three are from Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department and six from South African Police Service.
It is reported that on Saturday, 17 July 2021 at about 15h00, a house in Simunye, Bekkersdal area, was robbed by three males and one female where an undisclosed amount of cash and expensive liquor were taken.
The case was reported to the police and members of West Rand District Trio Task Team started with the investigation and a manhunt for the suspects.
During the investigation, it was established that there were two vehicles, a white VW Polo sedan and a white double cab Isuzu bakkie, that were used by the four suspects. The two vehicle’s registration numbers were tested and of Polo was false and of an Isuzu bakkie was found to be belonging to Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) K9 based in Booysen Johannesburg. The investigation team obtained a warrant of arrest and two suspects aged 38 and 41 who are JMPD members were arrested on Thursday 05 August 2021. Police are looking for other suspects and investigation is continuing to establish if they are linked to other crimes.
In a separate incident, a Warrant Officer, four Sergeants and a Constable were arrested together with a civilian man after they allegedly solicited a bribe from the person they accused of dealing in diesel. It is reported that the six police officers were together with a man in civilian clothes on Tuesday 03 August 2021 when they arrived at the business premises in Putfontein, Ekurhuleni, and asked to search the area as it is suspected of dealing in diesel and storing illegal firearms.
It is alleged that after searching the premises and finding nothing, the police officers demanded money from the complainant in order not to arrest him. It is further alleged that the man in civilian clothes went to one of the complainant’s car and took an amount of ten thousand rand in cash.
Police from the local police station were called and arrested the suspect after he was found with the complainant’s money in his possession. The six police officers were also arrested on Friday 06 August 2021 after an intensive investigation and charged with extortion and corruption. A charge of theft and impersonating of police officer will be added to the suspect in civilian clothes.
The Gauteng Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Tommy Mthombeni commended the committed and loyal police officers who showed that they will not protect and have mercy on corrupt police officers who tarnish the image of the police. “Corrupt police officers will be exposed and dealt with decisively. We will continue to arrest and even dismiss members of the SAPS who participate in criminal activities. I want to thank the members of the community who have the courage to report police officers who are involved in criminal activities and placing a trust on law abiding police officers,” said General Mthombeni.
The suspects are expected to appear at Westonaria and Benoni Magistrates Court on Tuesday 10 August 2021.
