Community helps arrest bogus policeman

KWADABEKA SAPS arrested a man for impersonating a police official and being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The bogus policeman was arrested in Clermont after he tried to con a man who runs a tuckshop in the area.

KwaDabeka SAPS communications officer, W/O Sibusiso Ngcobo, said, “According to information received, a complainant (59) was at his shop with a friend when they were approached by a man claiming to be a police officer.

“The man claimed to be a Brighton Beach police officer and was following up on information about a police officer who was killed at the Pavilion.

“The complainant said the bogus policeman produced a fake appointment certificate, stating that the murdered policeman’s gun was taken from him. Ngcobo said the man claimed that there were other 11 police officers in the area and he would call them to arrest the complainant for hiding the suspect if he does not give him R700.

“The complainant and his friend suspected foul play from the ‘policeman’. When he realised that his plans were not working, he pulled something from his bag.

“The tuckshop owner and his friend managed to overpower him and shouted for help,” he said.

The community came to their rescue and the fake appointment certificate, plastic hand cuffs, a gun and ammunition were recovered.

KwaDabeka police were called to the scene and arrested the man.

The man is under guard in hospital and will appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court as soon as he recovers.