The Eastern Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga has deplored the arrest of four police constables from East London who are allegedly linked to an armed robbery and extortion case.
The officers aged between 25 and 35 are making a second court appearance in East London on Tuesday to formally apply for bail.
The four K9 officers are allegedly linked to an armed robbery that took place at business premises in Fleet Street on the 29th of April.
Spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana says according to their investigation the officers visited the business as part of work where they followed up on fabricated allegations of alcohol being sold on the premises.
He says the officers entered the premises, in full uniform, and handcuffed the owner before conducting a search.
Brigadier Kinana says they later threatened to charge and detain him for keeping a large amount of money on the premises and for this, they extorted an undisclosed amount of money in order to save himself from detention.
On Wednesday the 29th April 2020, an armed robbery was reported in the same business premises allegedly by eight unknown male suspects, three of whom were dressed in police uniform.
During the incident, an undisclosed amount of cash was taken. The investigation also revealed that the suspects had demanded a bribe and further threatened to arrest the owner for money laundering.
The Anti Corruption team from SAPS conducted an operation where the suspects' homes were searched and the constables interrogated.
Kinana says they seized phones and R10 000 as part of their ongoing investigation.
The officers are being charged with aggravated robbery, corruption, kidnapping and defeating the ends of Justice.
Brigadier Kinana says more arrests are expected.
