Two police sergeants are expected to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on charges of kidnapping, extortion and possession of stolen goods, after they allegedly demanded cash from a suspect they arrested in Springs, Ekurhuleni.
Officers from the Dobsonville, Soweto SAPS were arrested by members of the Independent Police Directorate (Ipid) on Friday.
According to Ipid spokesperson Lizzy Suping, four officers from the Dobsonville police station there drove to Springs to search the property of the alleged suspect.
They arrested the suspect and confiscated money worth R35 000, gold, scales and 25 liters of acid mercury.
“While inside the police car, the four officers allegedly asked the suspect for more money, which he did not have at the time.
“He suggested that he call his friends to help him get the money he asked for. Unfortunately, his friend couldn’t help,” said Suping.
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The other two sergeants ran
As the officer the suspect, in a state vehicle, told his friend that he would stay at the bar until the bribe he asked for was paid in full.
“The friend reported the incident to Ipid. Investigators are working with the SAPS and JMPD to trace the officers and state vehicles.
“The vehicle was found in Roodepoort with only two officers.”
Investigators confiscated gold, cash and other items taken from the suspect’s possessions.
The other two officers ran away.
Gauteng police arrested for alleged corruption, kidnapping
On Friday, three officers facing charges of kidnapping, corruption and defeating justice were released on bail by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
Sello Tsima, 36, and Edward Magape, 46, from the Wierdabrug police station, and Massifo Johannes Mangena, 37 who is assigned to the Midrand SAPS, along with Congolese national Alain Mbembe, aged 48, were arrested on Tuesday after an identity parade.
“It is alleged that on May 17, 2021, one of the complainants and Mbembe went to the Wierdabrug police to open a case of burglary and theft against three young women who attended a house party.
“While at the police station, Tsima who is the investigating officer and Magape told the complainant that he must pay the sum of R10 000 to investigate the case,” said the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The following day, Mbembe and Mangena “forcefully” took the three women to Wierdabrug police in Centurion where they were held overnight.
Tsima and Magape asked family members to pay the sum of R10 000 to free the three women.
After receiving the money, Tsima told the plaintiff who opened the case against the three women that he would appear in court the next day.
“When the complainant came to the court, he was informed that there was no court, he went to the Wierdabrug police station to report the matter,” the NPA said.
The case has been adjourned until February 27, 2023, in order for the country to receive a report on Mbembe’s legal status from the Department of Home Affairs.
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