Cops arrested for hijacking, theft and drug dealing 

By Buziwe Nocuze

Two cops aged 33 and 37 will appear in the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court this week to face charges of hijacking and theft.

A third officer will appear in the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court on drug dealing charges.

“I’m not surprised at all,” said a resident from Gugulethu township, who spoke anonymously.

“We have been complaining about SAPS members stealing from us. I hope those who thought we were lying see that SAPS are just criminals hiding behind the uniform.” 

Last year SAPS members allegedly took her alcohol because she was running a shebeen without a licence. They promised that she would get it back when she visited the police station and paid a fine.

“I went to the police station and was shocked when I was informed that no SAPS member had registered the alcohol,” the resident said. “I couldn’t even produce their names because they didn’t have name tags. They have been terrorising the communities and continue doing so because they think they are above the law.”

Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk said on 10 August 2022 at about midnight a truck was transporting abalone valued at R500,000 for export from an abalone farm in Hermanus to Cape Town International Airport.

“As the truck with two crew members approached the Baden Powell offramp on the N2 freeway, two marked police vehicles with sirens and flashing blue lights came up to it from behind. The truck driver stopped next to the road,” said Van Wyk.

The occupants of the police vehicles, who were dressed in police uniforms, confronted the truck’s driver and crew members.

“Both crew members were told to hand over their cellphones to the police members. Two firearms, a rifle and a handgun were taken from one of the crew members of the truck,” said Van Wyk.

The driver was put in the back of the police vehicle while his passengers were placed in the back of the other police vehicle and driven from the scene.

“The truck crew was later released in a bush area in Mitchell’s Plain while the truck was recovered at Wolfgat Nature reserve, Mitchell’s Plain, with the abalone removed.”

One of the suspects was arrested at the Sea Point SAPS and the other at the Anti-Gang Unit in Faure.

In a separate incident, a 44-year-old SAPS member stationed at Dieprivier was arrested while driving a Toyota Verso taxi.

He was stopped and searched on the N1 at Beaufort West after police acted on information regarding a possible illegal firearm being transported in a taxi.

Mandrax tablets and tik with an estimated street value of R225,475 being transported to Murraysburg were discovered in the driver’s backpack.

Pictured above: Two Western Cape SAPS members were arrested for theft and hijacking and a third for dealing drugs.

Image source: Supplied