The Police in Hoopdal outside Thabazimbi, today arrested five suspects aged between 27 and 44 for allegedly impersonating police officers at Skierlik village in the Hoopdal policing area.
Police received a tip-off about the suspects who were masquerading as police officers at a local tavern and one of them armed with a firearm and wearing a police reflector jacket.
They swiftly responded and five suspects were cornered and arrested while trying to flee from the scene in a VW Polo.
Police searched the vehicle and confiscated one SAPS bullet proof vest, one SAPS summer pair of trousers, two Constable rank structures, one police belt, a 9mm pistol, one magazine, 8 rifle live ammunition, one reflector jacket and a motor vehicle.
The suspects will still be profiled to determine if they were previously involved in any other crimes. The origin of the recovered items will also be revealed by the ongoing police investigations.
The suspects will appear in Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court on 18 May 2021, facing charges of impersonating police officers, possession of unlawful firearm and ammunition, driving under the influence of liquor and possession of suspected stolen properties.
Police investigations are continuing.
