Johannesburg – Two South Africa Police Service (SAPS) Sergeants remain locked behind bars after they appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The pair from Dobsonville Police Station arrested for kidnapping, extortion, and possession of stolen goods was remanded in custody to 1 March 2023, for formal bail application.
The two sergeants were arrested by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigators on Friday, 17 February 2023. after they allegedly tried to extort money from a Springs resident.
Narrating events after that led to the officer’s arrest, Lizzy Suping, IPID Spokesperson. said: “It is alleged that four members of the Dobsonville SAPS drove to Payneville in Springs on 17 February 2023 at about 14:00 to search the property of the alleged suspect.”
Suping added: “They arrested the alleged suspect and confiscated money to the value of R35 000, gold, measuring scales and 25 litres of acidic mercury.
“While inside the police van, the four officers allegedly demanded more money from the suspect, which he did not have at the time.
“They advised him to call his friends to help him raise the requested amount of money. Unfortunately, his friend could not assist.”
The police officers allegedly said the suspect would not be released until the amount of money they demanded was paid.
However, the friend reported the incident to IPID investigators who worked jointly with SAPS and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department to track the officers and the state vehicle.
“The vehicle was found in Roodepoort with only two members. They were found in possession of gold, two measuring scales, 25L acidic mercury and an undisclosed amount of money,” said Suping.
“The two officers are detained at the Roodepoort Police Station, while the other two officers are still at large.”
