Law enforcement officers arrested in shocking deportation plot
Two officers were arrested for allegedly kidnapping and deporting a foreign national.
Two law enforcement officers, one from Gauteng Traffic Police and another from the Department of Home Affairs, have been arrested following an alleged kidnapping and unlawful deportation attempt involving a foreign national.
Read more: Joint operation recovers kidnapping victim in Norwood
The arrests were carried out on June 3 through a joint operation led by the Gauteng Police Organised Crime Investigation Unit in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs. The traffic officer was apprehended in Johannesburg, while the immigration official was arrested in Tshwane.
According to police, the incident dates back to February 27, when the officers allegedly arrived at the victim’s home and demanded to inspect her legal documents permitting her to reside in South Africa. After the victim presented valid paperwork, the officers claimed they needed to verify the documents at the Department of Home Affairs.
However, instead of taking her to Home Affairs, they transported her to Pretoria Central Police Station, where she was detained as an alleged illegal immigrant. The following day, the suspects reportedly took her to the airport, purchased an airline ticket, and attempted to force her out of the country under the pretence of deportation.
Also read: Norwood CPF commends police station for fourth quarter crime stats
Fortunately, the victim managed to alert legitimate immigration officials at the airport, who assisted her in reporting the matter to the local police. The case was soon escalated to the Provincial Head Office’s Organised Crime Investigations division.
Following a comprehensive investigation, a warrant of arrest was issued, and a takedown operation was successfully executed under the command of Major General Mbuso Khumalo, Gauteng Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection.
Khumalo has urged anyone who may have experienced similar treatment to come forward. “We believe this may not be an isolated incident,” he said. “We encourage any victims to report the matter to their nearest police station or to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.”
The Gauteng Police Service has reaffirmed its commitment to uprooting corruption and criminality within its ranks.
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