Efforts by the National Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega, to intensify investigations into crimes committed by members of the police and people impersonating police officials is rapidly gaining momentum.
A national investigation team set up General Phiyega has uncovered two syndicates, that are linked to one another, operating in the Gauteng areas of Florida, the Johannesburg CBD, Langlaagte, Boksburg and Randburg. They target foreign owned businesses, such as Chinese, Somalis and Pakistanis, for any valuables, particularly cash.
The challenge in these instances was that most of the people targeted kept large sums of cash. They do not use bank accounts, which made them susceptible to this type of crime. We once again call on all business people to utilise banks in order to ensure that their money is secure. The other key matter is that victims should report the offences once they have fallen victim to crime. This will assist us immensely with our investigations. We once again appeal to anyone who may wish to provide information anonymously to contact 08600 10111.
Since October last year to date, the National Investigation Unit (NiNU) arrested 18 people in connection with charges relating to the impersonation of police officers and SARS officials among other charges.
The suspects arrested comprised of eleven SARS officials, four SAPS members, two members of the Gauteng Traffic Police and one civilian.
On 20 October 2013, six suspects were initially arrested after they approached business premises owned by a Chinese businessman in Boksburg North. The suspects allegedly produced a fake Custom’s search warrant with the intention of robbing the businessman. A vigilant employee immediately alerted the police resulting in these six suspects being arrested on the spot. These suspects are currently out on bail on charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering, robbery and house breaking.
On 7 November 2013, members of NiNU arrested eight other suspects for their alleged involvement in the robbery of a Pakistani businessman at his house in Randburg. The nine suspects allegedly approached the businessman and produced a “search warrant” and demanded that he open his safe and thereafter made off with a substantial amount of money.
On Friday 4 July 2014, NiNU, led by Lieutenant General Vinesh Moonoo, arrested five more people on the Boksburg North matter. Gauteng Traffic Police officials Sipho Mokate, 38 years-of-age, and Neo Rampete, 40 years-of-age; SARS officials, Ayanda Monareng, 27 years-of-age, Sydney Radebe, 41 years-of-age, and Thulani Sihlangu, 26 years-of-age, appeared in the Johannesburg Central court on Friday on charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering, robbery and house breaking. They have been remanded in custody and they are expected to reappear in court on Tuesday, 8 July 2014 for a formal bail application.
Thulani Sihlangu and Sydney Radebe are already suspects in the Randburg case. The arrest of these five suspects brings the number of people arrested in connection with the Boksburg North case to 11.
With regard to the Randburg case of corruption, fraud, racketeering, robbery and house breaking, the National Investigation Unit arrested a 10th suspect, Ephraim Seanego, 31 years-of-age. The unit arrested Seanego on Friday, 4 July 2014 at his house in Primrose and during the arrest police found him to be in possession of SAPS, SANDF and SARS uniforms.
In addition to the Randburg case, Seanego now also faces charges of unlawful possession of SAPS and SANDF uniforms. He appeared in the Randburg court on charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering, robbery and house breaking and then in the Primrose Magistrates’ Court for unlawful possession of uniform. He has been remanded in custody until10 July 2014 on the unlawful possession of uniforms charge and 21July 2014 when he will appear together with the other nine suspects on the Randburg matter.
Of the four police officers that have been charged, two (Captain Reginald Zulu – former Visible Policing head of Langlaagte police station and detective sergeant Elvis Magamba also from Langlaagte) have been dismissed from the SAPS while the other two (Constables Mafomo Noone and Matimba Baloyi of Johannesburg Central Tactical Response Team) are facing disciplinary action. The hearing is scheduled for 16 July 2014.
All of these suspects are being investigated for their possible involvement in at least seven other cases in which the same modus operandi has been used.