Three suspected traffic police impersonators arrested in Midrand remain in custody

In a bid to evade arrest, it is alleged that the trio tried to bribe the Gauteng Traffic Police with R20 000.

November 2, 2022

Sphiwe Masilela 1 minute read

Midrand Police Station spokesperson Constable Eliot Mabulane confirms three bogus cops appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate's Court. Photo: Sphiwe Masilela

Three bogus cops arrested in Midrand made a brief appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court on October 27 and were remanded in custody.

The trio, aged 34, 41 and 45, was arrested by the Gauteng Traffic Police attached to the Central Corridor on October 26 along R562 for impersonating Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officials.

Midrand police spokesperson Constable Eliot Mabulane said, “The three suspects appeared in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court and were remanded in custody while we are still continuing with investigations.”

In June this year, Station Commander of the Midrand Police Brigadier Molefi David Tsotsotso tasked an intelligence team to probe and trace bogus cops following an increase in hijacking cases.

The suspects were found in possession of EMPD uniforms. Photo: Gauteng Department of Community Safety Facebook Page

Allandale Road on-ramp and off-ramp, N1, New Road, Le Roux Avenue and the R55 were among the spots that bogus cops were targeting.

At the time of their arrest, Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane said the police were conducting a routine roadside check when they noticed a suspicious white Nissan NP 300 approaching them.

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“The officers immediately stopped it and, upon inspecting the licence disc, the officers noticed that it was suspicious.

“The officers interrogated the suspects and established that they were not officers. The suspects offered to bribe the officers with an amount of R20 000 to evade arrest. The suspects were immediately arrested and detained at the Midrand Police Station,” said Maremane.

Police recovered two full sets of EMPD uniforms, three traffic officers’ reflective jackets, EMPD boots, jammers with 10 aerials, a car battery, a panga, four cellphones, and a replica Z 88/Beretta 9mm firearm.

The suspects were found with a car battery, four cellphones, and a replica Z 88/Beretta 9mm firearm, among other items. Photo: Gauteng Department of Community Safety Facebook Page

The vehicle was also impounded by the officers.

Maremane said they are charged with unlawful possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, impersonating a law enforcement officer, corruption and possession of the jammer.

“We would like to urge the criminal justice system to impose a harsher sentence against these suspects as they tarnish the reputation of hard-working law enforcement officers in the province.”