Four policeman and civilian
arrested for theft
Four police and a civilian arrested for theft at
Pienaar.
7 March
2014 10:21
NELSPRUIT – Four police constables aged between 30 and 34, stationed at
Pienaar, were arrested on allegations of theft, possession of suspected stolen
property and defeating the ends of justice.
The members’ arrest follows an investigation by police after receiving
information from a law abiding citizen, who reported the members who were
driving in two police bakkies off-loading groceries at a certain house in
Pienaar. Police responded swiftly to the information and upon arrival, they
found that the members had already left.
Police went inside the house and found groceries with a woman believed
to be the owner of the house. They interrogated her and she told them that the
grocery was brought by four police officials. She further told them that they
demanded R2 500 in exchange of the grocery valued at approximately R4000. She
said she told them that she had no money and the constables told her that they
will come back and pick the money later.The woman was arrested on Wednesday for
allegedly being in possession of suspected stolen property and the members
handed themselves over this morning, after they were called by the Station
Commander regarding the allegations.
The grocery is believed to have been taken from the shops owned by
foreign nationals during the recent unrests at Pienaar and Kanyamazane,
respectively.
“It is very disturbing to see people who are entrusted to enforce the
law and protect the citizens and all people in the country together with their
property being the ones who break the law,” said the Provincial Commissioner
Lieutenant General Thulani Ntobela.
“The allegations against the members are serious in nature and
disgraceful. Police cannot take advantage of situations and commit crime. It is
very much uncalled for and such behaviour should be discouraged at all times. I
want to thank the Station Commander and his dedicated members for acting
against these members,” concluded General Ntobela.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Kabokweni Magistrate’s
Court today. The internal investigation against the members is underway.
