Fourways woman assaulted and robbed by ‘JMPD officers’
The Fourways community is outraged after woman allegedly robbed and assaulted by purportedly fake metro police officers demanding an R8 000 bribe.
An incident of alleged police impersonation and robbery has left the residents of Fourways in shock, following a woman’s harrowing experience that her friend detailed in Facebook post.
The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed for her safety, claims she was targeted by two individuals posing as Johannesburg Metro Police Department officers during a ‘routine traffic stop’ on Winnie Mandela Drive last weekend.
It is unclear at this stage if the two individuals were JMPD officers acting illegally, or if they were individuals impersonating JMPD officers.
Also read: Steps to report corruption within JMPD
According to Zeeps Nomlomo, the victim was aggressively confronted at an apparent road block by one male and one female assailant wearing balaclavas and civilian clothing, who insisted she was driving under the influence and threatened her with arrest.
Shockingly, both individuals did not display any form of identification, raising concerns over their legitimacy as law enforcement officers.
The post describes how the situation rapidly escalated, with the female ‘officer’ allegedly dragging the victim from her vehicle and assaulting her. “She was thrown to the ground and forced into a waiting van, which began driving in the opposite direction of the nearest police station,” said Nomlomo.
Also read: JMPD officers allegedly transferring cash to ghost accounts are being investigated
The victim has confirmed to Fourways Review that it appeared to be an official JMPD van.
In the van, the victim reportedly pleaded for her safety and a chance to reach a legitimate police station. Instead, the alleged officers demanded a payment of R8 000, asserting that “you guys have just been paid,” and began physically assaulting her.
Under duress, she ultimately transferred R6 000 using a cash send service to an unknown number.
The ordeal, which lasted approximately two hours, concluded with the victim being released under distressing circumstances and still limping from the reported assault.
Read more: Jobseekers, illegal parking, and traders everywhere but no JMPD in sight?
Fourways Review reached out to the victim, and she said she is still traumatised to date. She promised to share what happened after speaking with the police investigating officer. More information will be provided once becomes available.
Superintendent Xolani Fihla for the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), revealed earlier this year that several officers within the department had been suspended for their involvement in accepting bribes from motorists along Winnie Mandela Drive.
These unethical transactions were reportedly conducted using untraceable phone numbers for e-wallets and cash transfers, making it difficult to track the illicit exchanges.
When approached for an update on the situation, Fihla indicated that he would follow up and provide feedback in due course. Amid this troubling issue, he committed to consulting with his colleagues to gather more information and verify the details surrounding the suspensions.
Fihla said he will check within the metro police about the incident and revert with more information.
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