Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Free State Hawks have warned the public about a man impersonating one of their officers, and using a police letterhead to solicit bribes from those he claims he is about to arrest.
Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli said the man, who calls himself Captain Mokoena, was claiming to be one of their lead investigators.
“He uses a police letterhead in his correspondence and attempts to solicit bribes from those he claims he is about to arrest,” he said.
“In a letter in possession of the Hawks, he writes that an arrest warrant has been issued against a prominent figure in one of the municipalities in the Free State.”
Provincial Hawks head Major General Mokgadi Bokaba said there was no “Captain Mokoena” in their ranks.
“More importantly, under no circumstances will a police investigator demand money from a complainant, victim or suspect in exchange for services rendered or omission thereof,” he added.
“Posing as a police official is a criminal offence. You will be arrested.”
Anyone with information on the man is urged to alert the police or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Meanwhile, a North West man appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Labius Metlhabe, 47, is charged with corruption, fraud, and impersonating a police officer.
He was arrested in Boitekong outside Rustenburg on Friday after he allegedly pretended to be an investigating officer in a theft case that was opened in September last year.
He allegedly called and demanded R3 000 from the man who was implicated in the matter, with the promise that he would make the docket disappear, said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Henry Mamothame.
Matlhabe was arrested in an undercover operation. A preliminary investigation into the matter revealed that he was not a police officer.
He would remain in custody until his next court appearance, said Mamothame. The matter has been postponed to 6 July for a formal bail application.
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