Seven South African Police Service (SAPS) officers were arrested by the Joburg Metropolitan Police Department’s Tactical Reaction Unit (TRU).
They were arrested on Wednesday, 22 October, and face serious charges of extortion and kidnapping.
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The officers allegedly targeted a suspected illegal miner, commonly known as a zama zama, who was found in possession of material used to refine gold.
What started as a routine encounter reportedly turned criminal when the officers demanded R5,000 from the miner, later hiking their demand to R30,000.
MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, said the group went as far as allegedly taking the miner into a vehicle and taking him to a loan facility to raise the money.
“While they were waiting for the cash, our Tactical Reaction Unit pounced and caught them in the act.”
The seven officers were handcuffed and taken to Booysens cop shop, where a case of extortion and kidnapping has been opened.
Tshwaku commended the swift action of the TRU, saying it sent a strong message that corruption within law enforcement will not be tolerated.
“The JMPD remain committed to upholding the rule of law and rooting out corruption.”
“Investigations are ongoing, and further details will be provided as they become available.”
The question now is whether this is an eye for an eye.
This follows a dramatic clash between the two law enforcement agencies after members of the TRU were arrested by SAPS officers in Bekkersdal, during what the JMPD describes as a legitimate vehicle recovery operation.
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The incident, which took place on 17 October 2025, sparked concerns from the City of Joburg Department of Public Safety.
Tshwaku slammed the arrest as “unlawful” and accused SAPS members of obstructing a tactical operation.
