Cape Town – Two people aged 43 and 49, were arrested in Johannesburg on Wednesday for impersonating police officers.
They were apprehended with two firearms, one unlicensed and the other a replica, along with R16 000 believed to be obtained illegally, balaclavas, and multiple cellphones.
The suspects are accused of posing as police officers and extorting “protection fees” from business owners in the Johannesburg area.
“They are alleged to have been posing as police officers and extorting “protection fees” from business owners in and around Johannesburg. In their possession, police also found and seized R16 000 that is suspected to have been obtained illegally, balaclavas and multiple cellphones.
#sapsHQ 2 #BogusPolice suspects, aged 43 and 49, were arrested in Houghton last night for impersonating police officers. The pair was found in possession of 2 firearms, 1 unlicensed and the other a replica. They are alleged to have been posing as police officers and extorting… pic.twitter.com/HBUbljOPIl
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) November 2, 2023
“One of the suspects was found to have a Saps appointment card. Preliminary investigations have revealed that both imposters are not in the employ of the Saps,” police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola warned that impersonating a police officer is a serious crime.
“We are intensifying our safer festive season operations and our high-density operations under Operation Shanela. Criminals don’t have anywhere to hide, our intelligence is at work. We urge our communities to continue to report wrongdoing so that we able to collectively make our communities safe,” said Masemola.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
