SAPS

SAPS Emblem. Photo: SAPS/Twitter

SAPS rescue man abducted by ‘fake cops

SAPS members rescued a kidnapping victim in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni, from outside a police station on Friday 6 September.

SAPS

SAPS Emblem. Photo: SAPS/Twitter

The South African Police Service (SAPS) have revealed how a man abducted by a gang posing as police officers was rescued.

The suspects are believed to have brought the man to a police station in order to threaten him with arrest.

Their attempt at extortion backfired when they got a little too close to the long arm of the law. The fake cops appeared to have full confidence in their scheme but in this case underestimated law enforcement. 

In the possession of the bandits were a number of police-issue items including handcuffs, firearms, an SAPS appointment certificate and an official blue light. Police are investigating how the men came to be in possession of the items. 

The men have been slapped with a raft of charges including kidnapping and extortion. 

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SAPS find fake cops in suspicious vehicle

An SAPS spokesperson outlined the details of the alleged crimes and subsequent arrest of four men and the rescue of a man from Tsakane.

“On Friday, police investigated a suspicious vehicle parked at the police station at Tsakane in Ekurhuleni. Five occupants were in the vehicle, one of whom – an adult male – was found to have been kidnapped and robbed.

“Four suspects were taken into custody while police seized from the suspects and the vehicle, two firearms – one of which was unlicensed, a police appointment card and other SAPS-issued items including handcuffs and a blue light,” says police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele.

“It was revealed that the suspects were allegedly demanding thousands of Rands from the family of the kidnapped victim, in exchange for his safe return.

“The suspects are being charged for police impersonation, possession of an unlicensed firearm, kidnapping, robbery and extortion. More charges may be added.”

The Authority of the state undermined

Gauteng police management welcomed the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the firearms. The brazen nature of the crimes committed by the quartet of thugs are of great concern to the SAPS, who feel they are indicative of the undermining of the authority of the state. 

“Well done to our members who acted swiftly in response to information of possible illegal activity taking place on the premises of the South African Police Service. This just shows how daring criminals have become and how far they would go undermining the authority of the State and terrorising our communities,” says Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela.

Pressure grows on Police Minister Bheki Cele daily as new reports of widespread criminality rock South Africa.