Publications
- A Mpumalanga police officer and five others have been arrested on charges of possession of stolen vehicles.
- Truck trailers in their possession contained cooking oil worth R1.3 million.
- The police officer will face an internal investigation, says the provincial police commissioner.
A police officer was among six people arrested in Vosman, Mpumalanga for the alleged possession of suspected stolen vehicles in eMalahleni and cooking oil worth R1.3 million.
The 43-year-old officer was arrested after police traced a truck which was hijacked in Elsburg, Gauteng, in January. On arrival at a property in Clewer, eMalahleni, police found a vehicle and two trailers. Six people attempted to flee, but were apprehended.
How safe is your neighbourhood? Find out by using News24's CrimeCheck
Among them was the police officer, who is attached to the Vosman police station, said police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.
Police found that the trailers were loaded with cooking oil valued at around R1.3 million. They were identified as the trailers that were pulled by the hijacked truck.
The vehicle, a Toyota Dakar, was reported stolen in Garsfontein, Pretoria, in September 2017.
"The truck was also found abandoned a few kilometres from the plot. Police are currently continuing with the investigation to establish if the suspects are involved in other similar criminal activities," said Mohlala.
READ | IPID probes death of bouncer allegedly shot by cop at West Rand pub
The suspects are expected to appear in the eMalahleni Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges of hijacking and possession of suspected stolen properties.
Mpumalanga police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, said an internal investigation would be conducted against the arrested officer.
"As the probe continues, drastic steps against the member may be taken should he be found to be on the wrong side of the law," she said.
