[imagesource:creativecommons]

Limpopo police issued a warning to shop owners after the Tafelkop Mall was looted by a group of armed guys masquerading as members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The armed suspects were allegedly clothed in what looked like full police uniforms and instructed the security guards on duty to grant them entrance to the premises to “execute crime prevention responsibilities and monitor cameras in the control room”.

The ‘police’ robbed their victims of cellphones, two-way radios and an ‘official jacket’ before fleeing the mall in a white Polo with flashing blue lights before the real popo arrived.

When police arrived, they discovered one SAPS reflector jacket that had been left at the scene.

The SAPS in Limpopo acknowledged that high-density operations are being conducted across the province by police officers drawn from various police units such as visible policing, detectives, and counterfeit and contraband task squads.

“Bear in mind that police officials attached to the detectives in the SAPS are working in normal private clothes and do not wear name tags,” Limpopo police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said in a statement.

“If shop owners have any suspicions, they have the right to ask an official to identify himself or herself by showing off their appointment cards, which must be carried by each and every police official which executing their duties.”

He said the police-integrated units are focusing on counterfeit products, contraband and expired food sold at spaza shops and supermarkets throughout the province. Provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, warned businesses to be wary of the bogus police officers.

Honestly Major Captian General Spaceman Lieutenant Hadebe, how do we even tell the difference anymore?

“These imposters are not affiliated with law enforcement authorities and may attempt to gain access to business premises or request sensitive information,” she said.

“Your safety and security are our top priorities, and we are actively investigating these incidents of criminals that are hellbent on tarnishing the image of the police.”

If our safety and security were your top priority, you’d get rid of the dodgy cops at all levels of SAPS. And keep track of your godd*mn uniforms, would you?

[source:iol]