Five people, including three traffic officers and a police officer, will appear before the Nkandla Magistrate’s Court later this month after being arrested on charges of robbery, attempted theft of a motor vehicle, kidnapping, and bribery.

Traffic officers Noxolo Velile Mngoma (23), Silindile Samukelisiwe Biyela (24) and Sandile Bongumenzi Zulu (26) were arrested by Nkandla SAPS on April 28 for their role in the robbery of two men who were transporting 100 boxes of body lotion.

According to police reports, the two men were pulled over by Nkandla traffic officers who then demanded a bribe of R1 000 after seeing that the mechanic’s driving licence had expired.

The men paid the bribe and en route to Nkandla, a white double cab bakkie forced them off the road.

The three occupants, one of whom was wearing a facemask with a police emblem, held them up at gunpoint and forced them to lie down.

They were tied with cables and robbed of the boxes of body lotion and R3 000.

The three traffic officers were arrested later that same day, and on August 9, Sergeant Sicelo Mabanga (44) – a police officer stationed at Empangeni detectives – and tow truck owner Mduduzi Nsizwa Maluleka (46) were arrested for their part.

The duo appeared before the Nkandla Magistrate’s Court on August 10 and were remanded in custody. The matter has been adjourned to August 24 for bail application.