Four Durban Metro police officers were arrested for corruption and theft on Wednesday.

They were arrested by the provincial anti-corruption unit after a La Mercy shop owner reported being robbed by the police in June.

KZN police spokesperson, brigadier Jay Naicker, said the four officers were allegedly investigating the sale of illegal cigarettes.

“The shop owner denied selling the cigarettes and indicated that he had locked up his cigarettes in a cupboard.

“The officers demanded the cupboard keys, and removed the cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of money.

The shop owner reported the theft to the police.

“They did not hand in the cigarettes and cash at any police station,” said Naicker.

The four men, aged between 30 and 42, appeared at the Verulam Magistrates Court on Thursday.

In a separate incident, Sergeant Lazarus Narainsamy (39) from Tongaat Saps appeared at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for extortion.

“He is accused of extorting money from a suspect who was arrested for assault and crimen injuria in March.”

The court released him on bail of R1000 and remanded the case to September 23.

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