Ecstacy tablets allegedly found at the home of a Khayelitsha police officer. Pic: SAPS
Cape Town - A police officer from Khayelitsha is set to appear in court after he was arrested by his own colleagues for possession of an illegal firearm, ammunition and ecstasy tablets.
The 38-year-old officer, stationed at the Maitland 10111 Call Centre, was arrested on Wednesday by officers of the Khayelitsha Tactical Response Team.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said during an intelligence-driven operation, the tactical response team pursued information and proceeded to a residence in Mandela Park.
“The targeted operation saw the forces descending on the property in Kumande Bali Street at around 6.10am.
“Upon entering the premises, they searched the occupant, and the premises, confiscating a 9mm pistol with ammunition and six ecstasy tablets, which resulted in the detention of the 38-year-old constable.
“Once charged, the suspect is expected to make a court appearance in the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court on the mentioned charges.”
Western Cape police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, commended the officers for the arrest and warned that offenders of the law have no place in the South African Police Service.
In the past week, police arrested 13 of their own on a range of crimes from aggravated robbery to extortion.
In the first case, the Anti-Corruption Unit arrested Jacobus Adriaan Groenewald, Bradley Dimitri Minnaar, Mthuthuzeli Mafanya and Bathandwa Soldati.
They appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court, accused of staging a robbery at the Llandudno home of a popular Nigerian rapper who has yet to be named.
Police said following the robbery of the homeowner on September 14, an investigation led to the arrest of the four police officers who allegedly used state vehicles to carry out a R20 million heist.
This week, the same unit arrested Jerome Davids, Nomapondomise Mvane, Peter September, Dylan Lodder, Thandolwethu Pendu, Akhona Silo, Phakamani Mtheli and Unathi Mlilwana, who were charged with aggravated robbery, extortion and defeating the ends of justice for allegedly extorting Chinese shop owners out of R28 000.
Rafique Foflonker of the Western Cape Community Police Board welcomed the arrests, but said the amount of officers arrested is concerning.
“We applaud the work done by the Anti-Corruption Unit and we believe the law must take its course,” Foflonker said.
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