GQEBERHA - The SAPS Organised Crime Unit in concert with Crime Intelligence has put behind bars a police officer carrying the rank of a Captain together with three other suspects for possession of fire-arms and ammunition and grenade in the early hours of Wednesday, 28 December 2022 New Brighton, in Qheberha.
The arrests follow after the SAPS received a report of an Arson which occurred in the home of the SAPS Senior Manager in New Brighton. Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects – the police officer stationed in the Crime Intelligence unit is being associated with the incident. However, the circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated. It is alleged that there was no person in the house during the incident and therefore no injuries were reported but the house is reported as having been damaged extensively.
Police investigation also led the detectives to a house where the police officer lived, in Ntshekisa Street, and this is where three fire-arm pistols, several live rounds of ammunition, stun grenades and a sum of R205, 600-00 cash were recovered. Among the arrested suspects is a man believed to be a Pharmacist in Gqeberha. It is not clear at this stage why the suspects kept these fire-arms, ammunition, stun grenades and large sums of money in their house.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene has expressed utter disappointment at the conduct of the police officer who allegedly had the audacity to attack the home of a police General in New Brighton. “It is just unbelievable that within our ranks there are those who would be associated with such heartless acts of criminality.
I am on record as having made it patently clear that members of the SAPS who connive with criminals to commit crimes against people are a disgrace to the organisation and must therefore suffer the consequences of their actions. The SAPS as a department has no place for such elements in our midst.” Lieutenant General Mene said.
A case of Arson, possession of fire-arms and ammunition and grenades has been opened against the Captain, whilst possession of fire-arms and ammunition and two stun grenades are being investigated against the other three suspects. All four male suspects aged between 27 and 40 are expected to appear in New Brighton Magistrate Court today the 29th December 2022 in Gqeberha.
Source: South African Police Service