The sergeant was arrested after allegedly hiring out his police equipment to a group of online syndicates. The equipment that he hired out included his official firearm, a bulletproof vest and hand cuffs.
According to police, the online groups would impersonate police officials as they prey on people who advertise their property online. They would then rob and keep them hostage at a house in Orange Farms.
The Vereeniging Court issued a warrant of arrest as soon as they could link the specific sergeant to the case.
More perpetrators impersonating police officers
In another case, a 40-year-old man was arrested as he was in possession of police reflector jackets, a diamond tester and five cell phones.
As the issue of perpetrators impersonating police officers is growing, SAPS are trying to determine whether the cases are linked. And perhaps the same modus operandi was used to rob unsuspecting victims who sell their property online.
Both suspects will appear in Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 11 November 2021.
Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commented on the incidents:
“It is a disgrace to see one of our own being arrested for criminal activities that they were entrusted to fight but instead they became perpetrators. As the management in SAPS Gauteng, we are committed to uprooting the rotten potatoes within the organisation and to ensure that justice is served.”
Media Statement: Police officer arrested for armed robbery, extortion and kidnapping