THREE policemen who are alleged to have been part of a long-running car theft
and hijacking syndicate were arrested in a series ofpre-dawn raids on their
homes in Soweto

The arrests, led by the Hawks, come after 14 months of investigations and sting operations where investigators bought eight stolen vehicles from the syndicate to strengthen their case.

The policemen were arrested in Protea, White City Jabavu and Jabulani. One of them is believed to be a ring leader and the other kingpin is a civilian.

When officers arrived at his home, his children were preparing for school.

The man’s youngest daughter broke into tears as police searched the home.

“The cells are cold, can I take a jacket?” the suspected rogue cop pleaded with his colleagues before being frog-marched out of the house.

The other officer was not at his home and police had to detain his sister, who led them to another property where he was arrested.

The third officer was due to be arrested at Protea police station just before he knocked off at 6am. But he had left work earlier.

He was nabbed elsewhere later in the morning. The operation netted nine of 10 targeted gang members.

Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said the officers, who faced charges of defeating the ends of justice and corruption, would trace stolen vehicles and instead of registering the recovery with the SAPS, they passed them on to vehicle thieves who would sell them.

The rest of the syndicate will face charges of hijacking, vehicle theft and housebreaking.

Ramaloko said many of the vehicles were stolen from yards at night and others were hijacked.

He said in one incident the officers recovered a stolen vehicle and then sold it back to the legitimate owner.

One other suspected stolen vehicle was recovered.

Ramaloko said the gang was expected to appear in the Protea Magistrate’s court tomorrow.

For more details go to www.sowetanlive.co.za