TWO men were forced into a car boot at gunpoint by rogue police constables during a kidnapping in Springfield yesterday at 10.30pm.
The victims were taken to a truck yard on Peters Road where they were severely assaulted as the rogue officers demanded R50 000.
Provincial spokesperson for the SAPS, Captain Nqobile Gwala said investigations revealed that three policemen and a policewoman stationed at Inanda SAPS were behind the assault.
“The fifth suspect appeared to be a security guard. Three state issued firearms were confiscated from the arrested suspects. The complainant’s cellphone was also found in their possession. A state vehicle that was used in the commission of the crime was found parked at a service station while another vehicle used by the suspects was also seized for further investigation,” she added.
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The victims, aged 28 and 36, were on Inanda Road when they were stopped by the five suspects who were travelling in a vehicle.
“They were severely assaulted after they failed to produce the money. One of the victims was released and instructed to raise the cash. Fortunately the victim, who was released, contacted Greenwood Park police officers who immediately responded. The victim pointed out the suspects to police who prevented them from making good on an attempt to flee,” said Gwala.
Gwala confirmed that the suspects, aged between 19 and 29, are due to appear in the Durban Magistrates Court, facing charges of kidnapping, extortion, pointing of a firearm, theft of a cellphone and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
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“This arrest serves as warning to those who are engaging in criminal activities and hiding behind the SAPS badge, that their time is near. Disciplinary investigations will be initiated to investigate the conduct of the suspects and they can be dismissed from the SAPS before the criminal investigations are finalised. We once again applaud members of the public for bringing such errant behaviour by police officers to our attention so that they can be dealt with. Police officers are also subjected to the same laws as ordinary citizens and therefore such criminal behaviour will never be condoned,” she said.
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