"The use of police uniform and equipment by criminals masquerading as police officers is one of the contributors to the poor perceptions that communities have of the police," she said in a statement.

A former policeman has been arrested at his home in Ga-Rankuwa, north of Pretoria, for possession of items of police uniform and ammunition, national police commissioner Riah Phiyega said.

"The use of police uniform and equipment by criminals masquerading as police officers is one of the contributors to the poor perceptions that communities have of the police," she said in a statement.

"Within this context the arrest of the former police officer and recovery of the cloned vehicle is significant."

The 47-year-old man was arrested in a joint operation between the Hawks and the national intervention unit.

Phiyega said that police searched the man's house and recovered items including several rounds of ammunition, a substantial amount of money both in rand and US Dollars, a police blue light, several items of police uniform, and sergeant and inspector rank insignia.

Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said: "The former Klipgat police station Sergeant had previously been charged for house robbery, which subsequently led to his dismissal from the police in 2010."

The man would appear in Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Police expected more arrests to follow.

"It is suspected that the man is part of a gang that impersonated police officers and preyed on unsuspecting people in Pretoria and surrounding areas," Ramaloko said.