Four police officers have been charged with attempting to extort money from a suspect.
The police officers’ luck ran out when a suspect’s friend reported their cash demands to the authorities.
According to Lizzy Suping, a spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), two arrests have been made so far, with two more officers being sought.
The alleged shakedown occurred on Friday afternoon when four members of the Dobsonville SAPS drove to Payneville in Springs to search the suspect’s property, she said.
They apprehended the suspect and seized R35,000 in cash, gold, measuring scales, and 25 litres of acidic mercury.
“While inside the police van, the four officers allegedly demanded more money from the suspect, which he did not have at the time. They advised him to call his friends to help him raise the requested amount of money. His friend could not assist.
“They allegedly informed the suspect and his friend that he (suspect) was arrested until such time he is able to pay the required amount of money. The friend reported the incident to Ipid investigators.”
The Ipid team tracked down the officers and the state vehicle with the help of SAPS and the Johannesburg metro police.
The vehicle was discovered in Roodepoort, along with two police sergeants. Suping said they were arrested after being found with gold, two measuring scales, 25l acidic mercury, and an undisclosed amount of money.
Two constables are still on the run.
The sergeants are scheduled to appear in court on Monday on charges of kidnapping, extortion, and possession of stolen goods.
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