Two highway patrol officers based in Midrand appear again before the Springs Magistrate’s Court

Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesperson said the duo first demanded R2m ransom before lowering it to R150 000 and then R20 000.

Sphiwe Masilela

2 hours ago

IPID confirms the arrest of two police constables from Gauteng Highway patrol in Midrand.

Two police officers attached to the Gauteng Highway patrol in Midrand will again appear before the Springs Magistrate’s Court today, August 20.

It’s alleged that the two constable officers, aged 31 and 33, were arrested for kidnapping and extortion on August 8 in Springs, east of Johannesburg.

The duo had previously appeared before the Magistrate’s Court on August 12 where they were granted bail of R5 000 each.

The paper first contacted Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson Sello Maremane who referred the Midrand Reporter’s inquiry to the Gauteng Police.

Gauteng spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo then advised the paper to contact the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
Pheladi Shuping, IPID spokesperson, said the officers approached a man by the name of Pita Muthisse in Springs and ordered him to get in their vehicle.

Also read: Three suspected traffic police impersonators arrested in Midrand remain in custody

“They then drove off with him. The two officers allegedly accused Muthisee of being involved in illegal mining and handed him to a group of people from Lesotho, known as Basotho nationals. The Basotho nationals then allegedly called a man who they believed was working with Muthisee as a zama-zama, and started demanding money for his safe return,” said Shuping.

She said they first demanded R2m ransom before lowering it to R150 000 and later on R20 000.
“IPID notified authorities and the two officers were then arrested. Muthisse was then released shortly after the arrest,” concluded Shuping.