LADYBRAND – A 43-year-old police officer in the Free State with a criminal record including a previous arrest for alleged kidnapping and extortion is back behind bars. He was arrested shortly after an armed robbery of a prominent chain store in Ladybrand on Thursday, 9 April 2026.
According to preliminary police investigations, the member is potentially linked to a group of at least five men who robbed the business at about 18:40. The Provincial Serious and Violent Crime, Murder and Robbery Unit is conducting further investigations including the search for other suspects on the run. Police have subsequently released photos of two persons of interest who could assist with the robbery investigation.
Sgt Mahlomola Kareli, provincial spokesperson for the police, said two suspects accessed the business under false pretences of investigating an assault case. “One suspect was dressed in a reflective police jacket, and the other carried a formal docket cover. Pretending to investigate a fictitious assault case, they gained access to the manager’s office to “review camera footage”. Once inside the office, the suspects dropped their disguise and attacked the manager, striking him in the neck with a firearm. They then forced the cash office clerk to open the safe. The suspects made off with large plastic bags containing a substantial undisclosed amount of cash and several cellular phones,” said Kareli. He said the robbers reportedly fired a single gunshot while outside the premises before fleeing the scene in a white Volkswagen Polo used as the getaway vehicle.
Kareli said following a tactical response by members of the Ladybrand SAPS and the K9 Unit, the getaway vehicle was discovered abandoned in Loop Street in the border town between South Africa and Lesotho.
“Upon inspection, it was found that the vehicle’s registration plates did not match the licence disc. During the processing of the scene, a 43-year-old male was intercepted and interrogated. The individual was identified as a SAPS member attached to a station within the Free State. Further profiling revealed the officer has a prior criminal record and was previously arrested for kidnapping and extortion,” said Kareli. He said the officer is expected to appear soon in the Ladybrand Magistrates’ Court facing charges of business robbery and other related offences.
Police are appealing to anyone with information about the robbery, including information about the two persons of interest, to contact Detective Ntingi Mshumpela on 076 423 5295. Alternatively, they can call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or submit an anonymous tip-off via the MySAPS App.
