A 45-year-old police Inspector from the Kuils River police station was arrested on Wednesday followed by his alleged accomplice and also an Inspector at the police station on Thursday. They were both members of the Detective Services unit.
"The arrest of the members is a result of an investigation into the illegal activities of the members, following an incident where a person who advertised his vehicle for sale was lured into a deal with the suspects," said police spokesperson, Superintendent Andre Traut.
"They acted as potential buyers of the vehicle, and then allegedly planted fake diamonds in the vehicle," he said.
When the seller left with his vehicle, he was confronted by the suspects and extorted to pay a substantial amount to prevent prosecution.
The victim was further taken to a location to collect the money, which is regarded as kidnapping and therefore such a charge was added.
Superintendent Traut said the men were due to appear before the Cape Town Magistrate Court on Monday.
"Corruption within our ranks will not be tolerated, and every endeavour will be made to root out these phenomena, so that perpetrators will face the consequences of their activities in a court of law," he said.
The Hawks, which were launched on Monday to officially replace the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO), also arrested three men outside a jewellery store in Grey Street, Durban on Tuesday.
It was believed they were about to commit a robbery.
The Hawks are tasked to prevent, combat and investigate national priority offences such as organised crime, corruption, and economic crimes.
In February, former President Kgalema Motlanthe signed the SAPS Amendment Act and Section 43 of the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act.
The two Acts provide for the transfer of the investigative capacity from the now dissolved DSO to the SAPS. -
