Hawks arrest 5 cops in diamond bust
2011-12-30 22:06
Klerksdorp - The Hawks arrested five policemen this week when they allegedly demanded money from a Klerksdorp resident whom two other policemen and a civilian had asked to organise an illegal diamond sale.
North West police spokesperson Lesego Metsi said the five were caught in a trap when they arrived at a house in the suburb of Jouberton on Thursday, in two official vehicles.
There, the five policemen demanded from the diamond seller the R20 000 balance of the street price of the stone after he had taken his R10 000 commission, he said.
The Hawks set up the trap following an earlier visit by the five to the house when they seized R2 000 cash from the seller and made their first request for the R20 000. This prompted the seller to go to the police, said Metsi.
Members of the Hawks provided the diamond seller with R10 000 cash and hid in the house, waiting for the five policemen.
The policemen, whose ranks include a warrant officer, three constables and one student constable are expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate's Court soon.
- SAPA
