BAD BOYS

Two Cape Flats cops are expected to appear in court today after they were busted for hijacking and drug dealing over the Easter weekend. 

The two separate incidents have sent tongues wagging as parliamentarians have called on SAPS management to take action against the two officers who were busted in Kleinvlei and Makhaza. 

In the first incident on Friday, an officer from the Maitland Flying Squad was moered by the community after an alleged hijacking. 

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi says according to reports the complainant was seated in a Toyota Quantum on Friday in Lwesine Street in Makhaza when he was approached by an unknown man approached him. 

Swartbooi explains: ‘When the complainant focused on the members standing around, the mentioned man grabbed the vehicles key out of the ignition, however the driver apprehended him immediately.

"A scuffle ensued upon which the suspect managed to flee with community members giving chase. They accosted the man and assaulted him.

"Upon arrival of police members the community released the man into the care of the SAPS members. It was established that the suspect is an off-duty police member.

"Once charged the suspect will make a court appearance in the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court on a charge of attempted carjacking." 

In the second arrest, a court orderly from Cape Town Central SAPS was busted with over 900 Mandrax pille and a toy gun.

According to an internal police report seen by the Daily Voice, officers received a tip-off about a police officer selling drugs from his home in Kleinvlei and raided the huisie. They found 965 Mandrax pille along with eight halved pills, a bankie of tik and a toy gun. 

Swartbooi says the search was carried out by the Anti-Gang Unit on Saturday. 

He adds: "Upon arrival at the identified address, members searched the premises and the occupants and, in the process, found a person in possession of a consignment of drugs.

"They detained the adult male, who is a member of SAPS, stationed at Cape Town Central SAPS, was detained for dealing in drugs. The suspect is expected to make a court appearance in the Blue Downs Magistrates Court once charged. 

According to a Daily Voice source, his colleagues had suspicions he was involved in drugs.

A cop, who wished to remain anonymous, reveals: "Many of the officers at Central had fears about him. He worked court duty and always drove the truck to Pollsmoor. There were always suspicions that he was vuil or busy with drugs."

DA MP Nicholas Gotsell says this is not the officer’s first brush with the law. 

Gotsell tells the Daily Voice: ‘This is not the officer’s first brush with alleged smuggling.

"While previously serving in the SAPS Metro K9 Unit, he was reportedly implicated in smuggling activities. Yet, SAPS senior management saw fit to move him to Cape Town Magistrates Court where he would be in direct contact with detainees every day - despite clear risks.

"This lack of judgment by SAPS management has now further compromised the integrity of the justice system. Amid an ongoing gang and drug war on the Cape Flats, the police’s inaction exposes how criminal syndicates may infiltrate the criminal justice triangle between the courts, correctional facilities and the police with impunity.’