Two law enforcement officers stationed at the metal theft unit were arrested today (Tuesday 2 December) on charges of extortion.
Wayne Dyason, law enforcement spokesperson, says the arrests follow an investigation by the City’s Safety and Security Information Management Service unit, in collaboration with the Hawks. “It is understood that during the incidents, which date back to January, the officers had allegedly extorted money from spaza shop owners. Warrants were subsequently issued for their arrest,” he says.
WO Zinzi Hani, Hawks spokesperson, confirmed the arrests explaining that they were for allegedly extorting R600 000 from foreign nationals at these spaza shops. They will face charges of corruption, extortion and business robbery.
“The duo were arrested after incidents that took place from 31 January to date. It is believed that they were targeting foreign nationals spaza shops requesting their asylum documentation,” she says.
Hani says that with or without the documents, the officers would still demand money. On different occasions the victims paid an amount of R5 000 and R6 000, she explains.
Further, the investigation revealed that during an arrest of one of the victims the suspects managed to steal cigarettes out of the victim’s vehicle to the value of over R600 000 while the victim was being processed at Philippi East Police Station.
The suspects, aged 36 years and 41 years, will be appearing in the Cape Town Regional Court on Wednesday 3 December.
“It is reported that the two suspects were previously arrested in May on similar charges and they were subsequently released on bail, Hani says.
Dyason says that the matter is also being dealt with in terms of the City’s policies and processes, and that they can confirm that the officers will be suspended as a disciplinary process is underway.
