Two Northern Cape police officers appeared in the Mothibistad Regional Court on charges of armed robbery, attempted murder and kidnapping.
TWO NORTHERN Cape police officers appeared in the Mothibistad Regional Court on Tuesday on charges of armed robbery, attempted murder and kidnapping.
The spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), Lieutenant-Colonel Philani Nkwalase, said the two Kuruman police officers – Sergeant Monageng Joy Makoke, 37, and Constable Walter Setidisho, 31 – were allegedly involved in a syndicate.
The officers allegedly used police detachable blue lights to stop motorists and rob them of their cash, cellphones and other personal belongings at gunpoint along the N14 highway near Kuruman between July and August 2020.
Nkwalase said the police officers were arrested on Monday by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team with the assistance of the SAPS Tactical Response Team and Crime Intelligence.
“The matter was referred to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in August 2020, after complaints were reported at the local police station. The Hawks probe revealed that the alleged perpetrators were members of the South African Police Service,” Nkwalase said.
During the arrests, a white VW Polo was seized as it is believed to have been used in the commission of a crime.
“The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team appeals to other motorists and possible victims who may have experienced the same to contact Detective Warrant Officer Itumeleng Nogaga on 071 481 2754 as the suspects may have been involved in other similar offences,” Nkwalase said.
The case against the officers has been postponed until September 28 for a bail application.
The Hawks said that more arrests in the matter were imminent.
