Cape Town – A group of armed individuals dressed as South African Police Service (SAPS) officers robbed the Tafelkop Mall in Limpopo on Thursday.
They arrived in a white VW Polo Classic with flashing blue lights, donned full police uniforms, and convinced security officers to allow them access to the premises, claiming they were there for crime prevention and camera monitoring.
“In the recent incident that took place in Tafelkop Mall under the Motetema policing precinct on Thursday, October 26, a group of suspects disguised as police officers, arrived at the mall driving in a white VW Polo Classic and flashing blue lights.
“The armed suspects were allegedly dressed in full police uniform and instructed the security officers on duty to allow them access to the premises to conduct crime prevention duties and also monitor cameras at the control room,” police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said.
The robbers made off with cellphones, two-way radios, and an official jacket. While the police were alerted, the culprits had already escaped.
The SAPS in Limpopo is conducting high-density operations, and shop owners have been advised to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to be a police officer to prevent such incidents.
Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, urged businesses to be cautious of bogus police officers and report any suspicious activity to the local police station.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
