Former cop bust for illegal use of police uniform
Former policeman has been arrested in Soshanguve for unlawful possession and illegal use of a police uniform and other equipment.
David Matsena
A 59-year-old former policeman was arrested in Soshanguve for unlawful possession and illegal use of a police uniform and other equipment.
Police spokesperson, Constable Petunia Chabangu said the suspect was arrested by Rietgat police at his Soshanguve home on Saturday morning, as police followed up a lead.
“Several items, including three bullet proofs [vests], uniform and an unlicensed firearm [shotgun] and ammunition, three police blue lights, one rifle and ammunition were seized from the suspect’s home,” said Chabangu.
“The suspect is a former police officer and he resigned from the SAPS on 2014-12-09 in a rank of Warrant Officer. He was working at the vehicle unit in Pretoria West,” she said.
Chabangu said the cop’s girlfriend alerted the Rietgat police about her boyfriend’s activities when she came to the police station to ask for a protection order against him.
The girlfriend told police that her boyfriend was part of a criminal gang posing as police officers.
Chabangu said investigations were ongoing and that police would check if the suspect may be linked to several incidents of armed robberies committed in and around Soshanguve.
“Police are still profiling him in order to arrange for identification parades‚” she said.
“According to the girlfriend, the arrested man may be part of a gang who posed as police officers. He may be responsible for several crimes including truck hijackings as well as following victims who are later robbed of valuables. The suspect’s vehicle was also impounded for further investigations‚” she said.
The suspect will be charged with possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
Police are hoping to arrest more suspects.
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