Four South African Police Service (SAPS) members arrested

12 Jan 2012

This morning a task team stationed at the O R Tambo International Airport arrested four of its own members on a charge of extortion.

On 1 January 2012 a Ghanaian National arrived at O R Tambo International Airport and went through the Customs and Excise processes efficiently. However, the Ghanaian man was stopped by police at the International Arrivals lobby. The police demanded that he produce an invitation to justify his visit to South Africa. The traveller instead produced his passport and visa and said that he did not need a letter.

The officers allegedly demanded one hundred US dollars from the man and threatened him with deportation. Fearing he would be deported, the man instead said he had fifty US dollars. The officers allegedly ordered him to convert to the currency to rand and pay it to them. This matter was brought to attention of South African Police Service (SAPS) management at O R Tambo after which an inquiry was initiated and evidence gathered.

The Ghanaian man was eventually traced to a place in Gauteng and an affidavit was obtained from him earlier this week. On the premise of the affidavit and evidence obtained, a sergeant and four constables that are stationed O R Tambo International Airport were arrested this morning.

They have been detained in police holding cells and are expected to appear in the Kempton Park magistrate's court on Monday 16 January 2012. The investigation team at O R Tambo international has been praised for working tirelessly on this matter despite the fact that no criminal case was initially opened. The team also went to great lengths to trace the Ghanaian man as this is a key prerequisite to bring these culprits to book.

Statement issued by Colonel Vishnu Naidoo, South African Police Service, January 12 2012

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