Tshwane police arrested four suspects posing as police officers on the R80 highway near Rosslyn yesterday (October 10).

A handcuffed and blindfolded man was also found in the suspects’ vehicle, Pretoria Rekord reports.

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, officers from the Tshwane Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit were patrolling the R80 when they noticed a suspicious-looking white VW Golf 7 with five occupants.

When the vehicle was checked, its registration details did not match the records, prompting officers to pull it over.

A handcuffed and blindfolded man was discovered together with the four suspects. He told police that he was kidnapped earlier in Wonderboompoort, after the suspects allegedly posed as police officers and stopped him using blue lights and a siren.  

A search of the vehicle uncovered an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, dashboard blue lights, police-branded T-shirts, cable ties, and a vehicle siren.

Masondo said the four suspects were arrested and charged with kidnapping, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, and impersonating a police officer.

They are expected to appear in the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Police investigations are underway to determine whether the suspects are linked to other serious or violent crimes.

“This quick response by officers prevented a possible tragedy. We are determined to root out criminals who pretend to be law enforcement officers to commit serious crimes.”