Gauteng traffic cop and immigration officer arrested for kidnapping foreign national
Victim reports to immigration officials spark investigation, resulting in the arrest of two officers for alleged criminal activities.
Image: File
Two law enforcement officers in Gauteng have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a brazen kidnapping scheme.
A joint operation by the Gauteng Police Organised Crime Investigation and Home Affairs resulted in the arrest of a member of the Gauteng Traffic Police and an immigration officer on Tuesday, June 3, in Tshwane.
The arrests stem from an incident on February 27, when the suspects allegedly visited the home of a foreign national victim and demanded to see her immigration documents. After she provided the documents, the suspects informed her they were taking her to the Department of Home Affairs for verification. Instead, she was taken to Pretoria Central police station and detained for allegedly contravening the Immigration Act.
The following day, the suspects reportedly took the victim to the airport, where they bought an airline ticket and told her to leave the country, claiming she was being deported to her home country.
The victim informed immigration officers at the airport about the situation, which resulted in a case being opened at the local police station.
This case was later handed over to the Provincial Head Office Organised Crime Investigations. After a detailed investigation, a warrant was issued for the suspects' arrest.
On June 3, a takedown operation was carried out under the leadership of Major-General Mbuso Khumalo, Gauteng's Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection.
Major-General Khumalo has indicated that there may be other foreign nationals who have fallen victim to similar crimes.
He urged any victims who experienced the same modus operandi to report the incidents to the nearest police station or contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.