5 Cops arrested for human trafficking, kidnapping & extortion
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Five Pretoria police officers have been arrested for
alleged involvement in human trafficking, kidnapping and extortion in two
separate incidents, police said on Wednesday
In a statement,
police said four Silverton flying squad members allegedly kidnapped 10
Bangladeshi nationals, who were smuggled through Zimbabwe into South Africa.
The alleged incident took place last month and according to police, two of the
10 victims were released after their families paid a ransom.
“SAPS (SA Police Service) national Crime
Intelligence worked tirelessly with the investigators on the case and
identified four Silverton flying squad constables that are alleged to have
kidnapped the victims,” the statement reads.
“A warrant for the
arrest of each of the suspects was obtained earlier this week and on Wednesday,
three of the constables were nabbed at the Silverton 10111 centre.”
The fourth officer
did not report for duty but police are adamant that an arrest is imminent.
In the second
case, two members of a stabilisation intervention in Mamelodi, north of
Pretoria, were arrested in connection with extortion allegations.
“A man, allegedly
a drug dealer, contacted the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit and informed them that
police members were demanding money from him.”
The two members,
one from Silverton SAPS and another from the Gauteng Anti-Gang Unit, were
arrested at a restaurant in Silverton on Tuesday evening and alleged extortion
money was recovered from them.
National police
commissioner, Lieutenant General Khehla Sitole, expressed disappointment at the
police officials’ alleged transgressions.
“It is
disheartening when members who are entrusted with the safety of law-abiding
citizens are seen to be committing crimes themselves.
“While we allow
justice to take its course, the arrest of these members should serve as a
warning to other law enforcement officials that criminality within our ranks
will not be tolerated,” added Sitole.
The
officers are in police custody and will appear in court once a date has been
confirmed.
https://www.all4women.co.za/1723751/news/south-african-news/5-cops-arrested-for-human-trafficking-kidnapping-extortion
