Four nabbed for impersonating Gauteng traffic police
This comes as a vehicle owner was stopped by the taxi association officials demanding a payment of R6 000 from him.
On Friday, four people were arrested for impersonating traffic police officers.
Gauteng traffic police pounced in the four and charged them also for armed robbery, kidnapping and the possession of an illegal firearm.
Gauteng traffic police spokesperson Sello Maremane said the transport intervention unit arrested the four suspects after receiving a complaint from the members of the public in Olievenhoutbosch.
Maremane said the complaint from the public was that there was a taxi patrol vehicle from ZMTA stopping vehicles and demanding cash from motorists along the R55 Road.
“The Gauteng traffic police public transport intervention officers strategically positioned themselves in order to monitor the reported vehicle.
“Around 14:00, a patrol vehicle belonging to ZMTA taxi association with officials inside was spotted on the R55 Road near Olievenhoutbosch illegally stopping vehicles and demanding cash in the process,” he said.
Maremane said a vehicle was stopped by the men who demanded a payment of R6 000 from the driver.
“The vehicle owner was escorted to a nearby bank where he was forced to withdraw cash amounting to R2 000.”
Maremane said the police officers immediately pounced on the suspects and detained them at Olievenhoutbosch police station.
Police recovered an illegal firearm and money allegedly solicited from motorists.
“All four suspects will appear in Pretoria magistrate’s court on Monday, to face charges relating to armed robbery, kidnapping and being in possession of an illegal firearm and impersonating the duties of traffic police officers.”
Maremane said anyone masquerading as traffic police officers would land in trouble with the law.
“I would also like to issue a stern warning against anyone stopping motorists illegally on our roads and robbing them of their belongings on the pretext of being taxi marshals that their days are numbered. Only traffic police officers and other law enforcement officers are legally and authorised to stop motorists on Gauteng roads.”
Motorists were urged to report any suspicious individuals on Gauteng roads.
“Various law enforcement agencies will be on high alert to stop criminals in their tracks of impersonating traffic officers especially during the festive season,” he said.
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