Five suspects, aged between 28 and 31, appeared in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing charges of extortion.
The suspects were arrested last Wednesday after they allegedly posed as police officers and illegally “raided” two scrapyards in Elsburg.
Second-hand goods officer Const Whisky Ramaboka received a tip-off from an employee of one of the targeted scrapyards on the day, reporting that there were officers who came to the scrapyard alleging they were conducting an operation in the area.
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“Ramaboka was amazed to hear about the allegations and proceeded to query the information.
“As he was arranging to attend to the complaint, another complaint was received by the station detailing the same modus operandi the suspect used to commit the first reported crime,” said Const Daphney Phooko, communications officer for the Elsburg police.
The victims alleged the pseudo-officers searched the scrapyards and confiscated their cables.
The victims of both scrapyards claimed to have been threatened and told to produce R2 000 bribes or they would be arrested for buying stolen copper.
“One of the victims further alleged the officers proceeded to the neighbouring scrapyard where they sold the copper they had confiscated and were paid R405.
“Ramakoba followed up on the information provided and he was able to trace and apprehend the suspects,” said Phooko.
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