By REGINALD KANYANE
A police officer (31) and his co-accused were arrested for business robbery and impersonating police officers. This comes after Constable Stembiso Ngamlane, who is attached to Madikwe Visible Policing and his co-accused, Jacobus Haywood (30), were arrested in Seweding village, near Mahikeng on 13 June 2024.
Ngamlane and Haywood allegedly robbed a Bangladeshi foreign national tuckshop owner. The pair apparently entered the tuckshop wearing a police uniform.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Ngamlane and Haywood introduced themselves as police officials and informed the shop owner that they were there to check if he was not selling counterfeit cigarettes.
“The victim took the duo to the place where cigarettes are kept. In the process, he requested to produce his Asylum Seeker Permit, which was in his room. The accused took the victim’s cell phone, while trying to call his sister-in-law. Subsequent to getting the permit, the accused robbed the victim of cigarettes, airtime vouchers and cash.
“It was at that point that the victim’ sister in law arrived and demanded to see the duo’s appointment cards. Haywood managed to run away, but Ngamlane was arrested and severely assaulted by members of the community,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said as a result, he was taken to the hospital, where he was admitted. He added that the preliminary investigation revealed that Haywood fled from the scene driving in a white Citroen car.
“Furthermore, police uniform pieces, including a blue shirt and a reflector jacket, were found approximately 500m away from the scene. Haywood was finally arrested at Lorwaneng village.
“During the arrest, more police uniform pieces were confiscated. The matter was in Molopo Magistrate’s Court, but was postponed until 25 June 2024, for bail application. The accused were remanded in custody upon appearance in absentia,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, condemned the incident and reiterated that unethical conduct and the involvement of South African Police Service (SAPS) employees in criminal activities will not be tolerated.
TaungDailyNews 