Bogus cops have infiltrated Randfontein.
This comes after a 31-year-old driver was hijacked by bogus Metro Police officers wanting to fine him.
According to Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson, the driver was allegedly travelling on the R559 in his company vehicle, a white Toyota Quantum with the registration number WSR 483 GP. As he passed Mohlakeng Extension 7, he was confronted by the fake police officers who were standing next to a white Polo. They pulled him over and instructed him to get out of the car so that they could issue a fine.
However, as he neared the Polo, one officer pulled a gun on him and ordered him to get into the Polo’s back seat.
“According to the victim, there were three suspects – two in uniform and the other in civilian attire,” Ernst said.
The victim was later dropped off in the Soweto area after the suspects robbed him of his money, cellphones and his vehicle, which contained a number of first aid kits.
The last incident of bogus police reported on by the Herald occurred in Westonaria on Friday, 15 May 2015. The victim, also a driver of a company car, was stopped by four men wearing South African Police Services uniforms.
These suspects pulled a knife on the driver before forcing him into the car. They eventually dropped him off in Soweto. The car was later found abandoned in Soweto.
After the earlier incident, the Herald spoke to the Westonaria Police station commander, Colonel Selvan Moonsamy, who explained what residents should know about police identification.
“In terms of the South African Police Service’s dress code, it is compulsory for officers to have identification. If they do not have their name tags with them, they have to find a means to identify themselves, such as writing their names on a piece of paper and pinning it on their uniforms.”
“Alternatively,” Moonsamy continued, “police officers can identify themselves by showing their appointment certificates.”
This certificate, he said, is no bigger than a credit card. The card has a photo of the officer on the one side and his or her details on the other. “It is compulsory for officers to carry their cards at all times,” Moonsamy said.
The Randfontein Police urges residents to report any information that might assist in the investigation. Information can be reported anonymously on 011 278 8100 or 086 00 10111.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
Also read:
Resident attacked by bogus cops
Bogus officer hijacks motorist
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Roodepoort Record, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
