Eight individuals, including six police officers, have been granted R2,000 bail each after appearing before the Brits Magistrate’s Court. They face charges of business robbery, kidnapping, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The accused are scheduled for a second court appearance on February 28, following their initial appearance on Thursday.
The arrests, made on December 20, 2023, were carried out by the provincial anti-corruption investigation unit, Bojanala platinum sub-district, and Mmakau police station detectives in connection with a business robbery in Mmakau on December 15, 2023.
Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, the North West police spokesperson, provided details, stating that one of the suspects was driving a marked police vehicle during the business robbery at a tavern in Newton Section, Mmakau. The tavern owner was allegedly assaulted and robbed of approximately R60,000, and the assault continued when the business owner was taken to the Mothotlung graveyard.
The accused individuals include Sergeant Matlala Letsoko (43), Sergeant Lesiba Kgopa (49), Constable Sejameriri Mamphekgo (34), Constable Croesus Chirwa (33), Constable Joy Makotla (32), Sergeant Masilo Mononyane (46), Emmanuel Lorekang (45), and Itumeleng Malebetsane (50). The police officers are affiliated with the Pretoria public order police unit, Tshwane district crime intelligence, and the Rietgat visible policing unit.
The investigations are ongoing, and the suspects may face additional charges, including another business robbery allegedly committed in Hebron, according to Mokgwabone.
Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, the provincial commissioner of police in North West, expressed disappointment with the accused officers’ conduct, describing it as “totally unacceptable” and not in line with the South African Police Service (SAPS) code of conduct. Kwena emphasized that the officers had disregarded their role in the SAPS’ execution of safer festive season operations.
This incident follows a similar warning issued in October in Limpopo, where a group of armed individuals, posing as police officers, robbed Tafelkop Mall, instructing security officers to allow them access under the guise of conducting crime prevention duties.