In a shocking turn of events, three police officers from Nyanga have been arrested for their involvement in a robbery at a spaza shop in Mfuleni, five months after the crime took place.
The officers, members of the Visible Policing Unit, were allegedly involved in a daring robbery on October 1, 2024, when they stole R5,600 in cash and cigarettes worth R6,930 from a Somali-owned shop in Mfuleni’s Extension 2. What makes this case even more appalling is the fact that the officers were in full uniform and driving a state vehicle while committing the crime.
According to the incident report, the officers demanded to search the shop before pulling their firearms on the shop owner, forcing him to open a secured room where cash and cigarettes were stored. The stolen goods were then loaded into the police vehicle, and the officers sped off. The shop owner, who had been held at gunpoint, managed to follow the officers in his private vehicle, capturing footage of the crime. He later reported the matter to the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit.
The Investigation and Arrest
The case was initially investigated by the Mfuleni Crime Intelligence Division before being handed over to the Anti-Corruption Unit. After an extensive investigation, which involved tracking the officers’ state vehicle using Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and cell phone records, the three suspects were identified.
The officers, aged 28, 28, and 29, were arrested at Nyanga SAPS on Monday, right before their scheduled shift. Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed that the officers were charged with business robbery and pointing a firearm. After their arrest, the trio was held at Mfuleni SAPS police cells and is set to appear in Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court.
This case highlights the disturbing level of corruption and misconduct within South Africa’s police force, with the Anti-Corruption Unit working tirelessly to bring such officers to justice. The incident has left many questioning the integrity of law enforcement and further tarnished public trust in the police.
