Metro cop, two accomplices arrested for attempted hijacking
“It is disheartening, that those that have sworn an oath to uphold the law are being caught out blatantly breaking it,” says the MMC.
A Tshwane traffic officer and two of his accomplices were arrested by the Middelburg flying squad on Thursday.
The trio was arrested on the N4 around Phola in Ogies between the Petro port and Arbor off-ramp.
Police spokesperson Selvy Mohlala said the trio was allegedly plotting to hijack a truck believed to have been ferrying undisclosed goods.
“Flying squad members who were patrolling the area noticed a suspicious vehicle with a Gauteng registration plate parked at a strategic location.
“When the members approached the vehicle to investigate, a man wearing a Tshwane metro police uniform, armed with a side firearm alighted the vehicle,” Mohlala said.
She said upon investigation, the members discovered that the vehicle the suspect was driving was hijacked in Daveyton.
Among other things police found two cellphone network jamming devices – an 8- and 20-channel jammers, said Mohlala.
“When police interviewed the suspects, it was established that there was another vehicle in the vicinity which sped off after realising that their team members were in hot waters, hence their motive was revealed that their mission was to hijack a truck.”
The three suspects were charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, possession of network jamming devices, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and impersonating a police officer.
MMC for community safety, Grandi Theunissen said his department was working with law enforcement agencies on the matter.
“The department has since confirmed that one of the arrested individuals is indeed employed by the City as a TMPD constable and all necessary processes are underway to assist the police,” said Theunissen.
The MMC said it was saddening to find a sworn officer who’s expected to uphold the law on the opposite side.
“It is disheartening, that those that have sworn an oath to uphold the law are being caught out blatantly breaking it. I have previously said that cleaning up TMPD is a process that will take time.”
Local wins big in Best of Pretoria vote
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
