Police have issued a warning to KwaMashu and surrounding area residents to be aware of criminals who are impersonating police officers.
This follows an increase in the number of cases being reported where a group of men are posing as police officers and who are forcefully arresting people on the pretext of an investigation.
SAPS spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said there have been a number of cases with the same modus operandi reported in the past two weeks.
“There have been a number of cases that have been reported where a similar modus operandi was used by what is believed to be a syndicate that operates in malls and shopping centres.
“What happens is that a person drops what looks like a stack of money next to an unsuspecting victim and that person would be polite in convincing the victim to move with him to a ‘safer’ spot where he would offer to share the money with the victim.
“All of a sudden a group of men will emerge, posing as police officers who are investigating a case of robbery. The victim would then be forced into the fake police officer’s vehicle and the victim would be taken to unknown areas where the suspects rob the victims of their belongings,” said Colonel Netshiunda.
He said in a recent case, a 48-year-old woman was at a mall in KwaMashu where the suspects used the same trick and drove away with her. The suspects transferred a huge amount of money from her bank account and she was later abandoned in Chatsworth.
“Members of the community are urged to be cautious when they are in the malls and are warned against picking up any money so that they do not fall prey to this criminal syndicate,” said Colonel Netshiunda.
He also appealed to anyone with information to contact the police on 10111.