Three police officers from Gauteng were arrested after they robbed a Welkom man of his cellphone at a filling station in Jan Cillierspark.
They face a charge of common robbery and made their first appearance in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Monday 15 July.
The trio Keabetswe Menyatso, Tshenolo Moloi and Mahlodi Mahlala are alleged to have pulled over a vehicle and ordered a 44-year-old mineworker,
who was travelling in Badenhorst Road, Welkom, to get out of the car. The man became suspicious and told them he would go to the police station in Jan Hofmeyer Road, but they stopped at the Engen garage in Jan Cillierspark. When he got out of the vehicle they grabbed his cellphone. The suspects were captured on CCTV camera at the filling station.
The pictures of the trio have been circulating on social media with one wearing a police bullet proof vest while another wearing a police face mask.
After the incident the victim went to the Welkom Police Station where the incident was reported and a case of robbery and impersonating police officers was opened,” says Cap. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the SAPS in Lejweleputswa.
The ensuing investigation revealed that the three suspects were in fact SAPS members, and they were subsequently arrested on 13 July.
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Gen. Fannie Masemola has welcomed the arrests, and he says that internal departmental disciplinary proceedings will be expedited.
“In photographs seen circulating on social media platforms, two men and a woman are seen wearing SAPS bullet proof vests and an SAPS mask. A white polo sedan which was allegedly used by the members can also be seen with flashing blue lights. Since the incident emerged on 1 July, maximum resources were mobilised and a dedicated team of detectives has been working on the case to trace the suspects,” says Thakeng.
“The preliminary investigation has revealed that on the said date, the trio, two Constable’s and a Sergeant pulled over a vehicle and ordered the man to step out. The man refused and drove to the nearest filling station where the members followed him. It was during this period when the police officers allegedly grabbed the victims cellphone and sped off,” says Thakeng.
“We condemn this behaviour and don’t condone acts of criminality and corruption within our ranks. We will continue to deal decisively with those who do not abide by the SAPS code of conduct without fear or favour,” said Masemola .
The SAPS has an anti-corruption unit that deals solely with identifying and removing corrupt law enforcement officers within its ranks and beyond. Communities are therefore urged to continue to report suspicious activities to their nearest police station and the Crime Stop Hotline number on 0860010111.
