Officers wanted cash from a Ghana businessman, threatening to deport him if he did not pay
THREE uniformed policemen attached to the OR Tambo International Airport were yesterday arrested for allegedly trying to extort money from a Ghanaian traveller.
A fourth suspect, also a cop stationed at the airport, was arrested later at his home.
Yesterday's arrests follow an incident in which a Ghanaian traveller was allegedly extorted of money when he arrived in the country on New Year's Day.
Yesterday's arrest was hailed by police Minister who said it signalled their determination to rout out rouge elements within the force.
"An arrest of any police officer for wrongdoing is undermining our efforts in the fight against crime and that is why we will not allow such cops to continue to be seen in our uniforms. While we have been tough on criminals, we are equally tough on such officers as we rid the SAPS of any form of corrupt acts," Minister spokesman Zweli Mnisi said.
A task force pounced on the three shortly after they had arrived for duty yesterday and led them off handcuffed for questioning.
A police statement said the Ghanaian traveller arrived at the airport on New Year's Day and duly went through customs and passport control. As he was walking out a group of policemen confronted him and demanded that he produce "an invitation letter" to enter the country.
He produced his passport and visa, but these were rejected.
The officers allegedly ordered him to pay 100 US dollars or face deportation. He could only offer them 50 dollars, which they insisted he convert to local currency. They then took the money.
After they took the money he laid a charge with the police at the airport and entered the country.
He was later traced to his address and the police started investigations which led to the arrests yesterday,
The three had been standing around chatting, when members of the task force arrived and had a brief chat with them before handcuffing them.
As they were led away, one of them, in the middle, turned his head sideways and angrily asked the Sowetan photographer who was busy snapping away at them: "What do you think you are doing?"
Police spokesman Colonel Vishnu Naidoo said it was disheartening that their own members were involved in criminal activity.
"It is very disappointing that we have to arrest our own members. But the message is that no one is above the law.
"We want to show South Africans and people visiting our country that such actions will not be tolerated nor allowed."
The arrest comes days after three police officers appeared in the Protea's Magistrate's Court on charges of armed robbery. They will appear at the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Monday.
l Meanwhile, seven Free State police officers were arrested on Tuesday for stealing TV sets in December. The officers, along with four civilians, were arrested after a truck carrying the TVs overturned between Rouxville and Smithfield in December.
Four cops nabbed over extortion claim
Officers wanted cash from a Ghana businessman, threatening to deport him if he did not pay
THREE uniformed policemen attached to the OR Tambo International Airport were yesterday arrested for allegedly trying to extort money from a Ghanaian traveller.
A fourth suspect, also a cop stationed at the airport, was arrested later at his home.
Yesterday's arrests follow an incident in which a Ghanaian traveller was allegedly extorted of money when he arrived in the country on New Year's Day.
Yesterday's arrest was hailed by police Minister who said it signalled their determination to rout out rouge elements within the force.
"An arrest of any police officer for wrongdoing is undermining our efforts in the fight against crime and that is why we will not allow such cops to continue to be seen in our uniforms. While we have been tough on criminals, we are equally tough on such officers as we rid the SAPS of any form of corrupt acts," Minister spokesman Zweli Mnisi said.
A task force pounced on the three shortly after they had arrived for duty yesterday and led them off handcuffed for questioning.
A police statement said the Ghanaian traveller arrived at the airport on New Year's Day and duly went through customs and passport control. As he was walking out a group of policemen confronted him and demanded that he produce "an invitation letter" to enter the country.
He produced his passport and visa, but these were rejected.
The officers allegedly ordered him to pay 100 US dollars or face deportation. He could only offer them 50 dollars, which they insisted he convert to local currency. They then took the money.
After they took the money he laid a charge with the police at the airport and entered the country.
He was later traced to his address and the police started investigations which led to the arrests yesterday,
The three had been standing around chatting, when members of the task force arrived and had a brief chat with them before handcuffing them.
As they were led away, one of them, in the middle, turned his head sideways and angrily asked the Sowetan photographer who was busy snapping away at them: "What do you think you are doing?"
Police spokesman Colonel Vishnu Naidoo said it was disheartening that their own members were involved in criminal activity.
"It is very disappointing that we have to arrest our own members. But the message is that no one is above the law.
"We want to show South Africans and people visiting our country that such actions will not be tolerated nor allowed."
The arrest comes days after three police officers appeared in the Protea's Magistrate's Court on charges of armed robbery. They will appear at the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Monday.
l Meanwhile, seven Free State police officers were arrested on Tuesday for stealing TV sets in December. The officers, along with four civilians, were arrested after a truck carrying the TVs overturned between Rouxville and Smithfield in December.
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