AN East Rand policeman is in trouble with the law after he allegedly tried to hijack a woman motorist, and shot a man who had tried to rescue her during the incident.
A 32-year-old detective attached to the Gauteng provincial police in Germiston, was arrested with his 27-year-old brother for allegedly attacking Kgaogelo Rankapole, 25, of Kempton Park, on Friday night.
Rankapole said she was driving to Katlehong along Modderfontein Road in Kempton Park when she was stopped by another motorist.
"A bakkie came flashing lights behind me. I gave way because I thought it was an emergency case. It cut in front of me, blocking my way. Two men got out. The driver came on my side and demanded that I open the window. He broke my car's window when he realised I was not co-operating.
"He then demanded the keys and I refused. We wrestled and he overpowered me.
"Three guys who were in one of the vehicles that were driving past realised that there was a problem. They reversed and enquired what was happening.
"This guy started fighting with them and the other guy joined in his defence. The two guys were then defeated. The guys who had helped me decided that one of them should drive with me in my car.
"I heard a gunshot as we were leaving the scene. He had shot at the driver of the vehicle these guys were travelling in, hitting him between the neck and shoulder," Rankapole said.
She said they reported the matter to the police who were manning an accident scene not far from where the attempted hijacking happened.
They drove back to the scene of the attack, but the attackers had left.
"I then rushed the injured guy to the hospital and later went to open a case at Sebenza police station.
"We were still giving statements when the guy who had attacked me suddenly walked in. He had changed his clothes and was now driving a state car.
"He demanded to use a computer at the police station and an argument started between him and other police officers.
"I immediately pointed him out.
"Other police officers who said they were from Germiston police station arrived as the guy who had attacked me was being arrested.
"They demanded the vehicle that the man who attacked me drove to the police station. Those at Sebenza police station refused to give them the keys," Rankapole said.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said an internal investigation would be instituted against the officer.
Dlamini said: "I can confirm the case. He was arrested with his brother on charges of armed robbery, attempted murder, drunken driving and defeating the ends of justice".
He said it was suspected that the officer was drunk when he was arrested.
Sowetan understands that the men were booked to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Monday, but did not because the matter was placed on the roll to allow for further investigation. The date for the next appearance is still to be set.
- xabav@sowetan.co.za
Officer fingered in attack
AN East Rand policeman is in trouble with the law after he allegedly tried to hijack a woman motorist, and shot a man who had tried to rescue her during the incident.
A 32-year-old detective attached to the Gauteng provincial police in Germiston, was arrested with his 27-year-old brother for allegedly attacking Kgaogelo Rankapole, 25, of Kempton Park, on Friday night.
Rankapole said she was driving to Katlehong along Modderfontein Road in Kempton Park when she was stopped by another motorist.
"A bakkie came flashing lights behind me. I gave way because I thought it was an emergency case. It cut in front of me, blocking my way. Two men got out. The driver came on my side and demanded that I open the window. He broke my car's window when he realised I was not co-operating.
"He then demanded the keys and I refused. We wrestled and he overpowered me.
"Three guys who were in one of the vehicles that were driving past realised that there was a problem. They reversed and enquired what was happening.
"This guy started fighting with them and the other guy joined in his defence. The two guys were then defeated. The guys who had helped me decided that one of them should drive with me in my car.
"I heard a gunshot as we were leaving the scene. He had shot at the driver of the vehicle these guys were travelling in, hitting him between the neck and shoulder," Rankapole said.
She said they reported the matter to the police who were manning an accident scene not far from where the attempted hijacking happened.
They drove back to the scene of the attack, but the attackers had left.
"I then rushed the injured guy to the hospital and later went to open a case at Sebenza police station.
"We were still giving statements when the guy who had attacked me suddenly walked in. He had changed his clothes and was now driving a state car.
"He demanded to use a computer at the police station and an argument started between him and other police officers.
"I immediately pointed him out.
"Other police officers who said they were from Germiston police station arrived as the guy who had attacked me was being arrested.
"They demanded the vehicle that the man who attacked me drove to the police station. Those at Sebenza police station refused to give them the keys," Rankapole said.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said an internal investigation would be instituted against the officer.
Dlamini said: "I can confirm the case. He was arrested with his brother on charges of armed robbery, attempted murder, drunken driving and defeating the ends of justice".
He said it was suspected that the officer was drunk when he was arrested.
Sowetan understands that the men were booked to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Monday, but did not because the matter was placed on the roll to allow for further investigation. The date for the next appearance is still to be set.
- xabav@sowetan.co.za
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