Policemen arrested for theft

MEMBERS from Provincial Crime Intelligence, Umbilo SAPS members and Durban Public Order Policing arrested five suspects including two police officials for theft and fraud in Durban and surrounding areas.

According to Colonel Jay Naicker from provincial SAPS, the Crime Intelligence members were working on a theft case which occurred in KwaDabeka. When police interviewed the complainant she alleged that the people who went to her house were looking for South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) cards.

“She further stated the men had introduced themselves as police officers, and took her identity document, bank cards, two social grant cards for her children and R5700. The complainant was not in the house at that time but she allegedly received a call from a person who introduced himself as a police captain, telling her that they had taken her identity document and bank card and if she wanted them back she should return the SASSA cards in her possession,” said Naicker.

The members learned that the complainant was in possession of 200 SASSA cards.
The Crime Intelligence members set up a meeting between the complainant and a police captain in Durban. The complainant took the cards with her and proceeded to the meeting point. The members set up surveillance and observed the meeting and the bag with the SASSA cards exchange hands.

“The members pounced on them and upon further investigation discovered the suspect was indeed a police captain stationed at Protection and Security Services (PSS) and in his possession they found the complainant’s identity book and bank cards. Police  proceeded to Umlazi where they arrested three more suspects and a warrant officer was arrested at Mobeni Heights,” he said.

The arrested suspects will be charged for fraud and theft and will appear at the Pinetown Magistrates’ Court and Durban Magistrates’ Court on 20 March.