Two of the three police officials who were arrested for robbery and theft have been granted bail. The third official’s bail was denied.
They appeared in court on Monday 29 July. The female constable was granted R1 000 bail, and the police sergeant R2 000. The male constable was denied bail and will reapply.
The three are based in Gauteng and were arrested after they robbed a Welkom man of his cellphone at a filling station in Jan Cilliers Park, Welkom.
The robbery happened on 1 July, after the three had pulled over a vehicle in Badenhorst Street, Welkom, and ordered the 44-year-old driver to step out. He became suspicious, and continued to the Engen garage in Jan Cillierspark, where he was robbed of his phone.
The three were captured on CCTV camera at the filling station.
The victim went to the Welkom Police Station where the incident was reported and a case of robbery and impersonating police officers was opened,” said Capt. Stephen Thakeng, media liaison officer for the police in Lejweleputswa.
The ensuing investigation revealed that the three suspects were in fact police members, and they were subsequently arrested on 13 July.
Lt Gen. Fannie Masemola, national commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), has welcomed the arrests and says that internal departmental disciplinary proceedings will be expedited.
“We condemn this behaviour and do not condone acts of criminality and corruption within our ranks. We will continue to deal decisively with those who do not abide by the police code of conduct without fear or favour,” said Masemola .
The police 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 08600-10111.
