Three Gauteng police officers were arrested. [Picture: News24/SAPS]
Three Gauteng police officers have been arrested after allegedly robbing a man of his cellphone. The incident, captured on CCTV, reportedly occurred in Welkom, FS.
The trio, clad in bulletproof vests belonging to SAPS, allegedly grabbed the victim’s cellphone before speeding off in a VW Polo with flashing lights.
National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said preliminary investigation found that it started when two constables and a sergeant ordered a 44-year-old mineworker to step out of his car.
“The man refused and drove to the nearest filling station where the members followed him. It was during that period when the police officers allegedly grabbed the victims cellphone and sped off,” she said.
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Law should take its course
Reacting to the news, South African Policing Union (SAPU) spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale told Newzroom Afrika: “We don’t condone any form of criminality, be it by police officers or law enforcement officers, or even by members of the public. Each one of us has to abide by the law”.
He said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is currently handling the matter. But, in the meantime, he asked the public to refrain from being “conclusive” against the Gauteng police officers, until the matter has been fully investigated.
“As it stands, those are allegations and the law should take its course so that investigations could go deeper to really determine … what really has happened.”
Meanwhile, national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, confirmed internal departmental disciplinary proceedings were being expedited.
“We condemn this behaviour and don’t condone acts of criminality and corruption within our ranks. We will continue to deal decisively with those who do not abide by the SAPS code of conduct, without fear or favour,” he said.
