LEPHALALE – A 37-year-old Police Sergeant, attached to the K9 unit in Lephalale has appeared before Phalala magistrate’s court together with his 34-year-old accomplice on Monday 2018-11-05, after they were arrested over the weekend for car hijacking.
The suspects, travelling in a Citi Golf, allegedly forced a vehicle with three occupants to stop along the R572 road on Saturday (2018-11-03) morning, using the sergeant’s appointment certificate and a hand gun. After ordering the victims out of their vehicle, they allegedly robbed them their cell phones, cash and then drove off from the scene with both vehicles.
The suspects were later arrested after handing themselves to the police at Witpoort police station. They came with both vehicles. After a thorough search, the police found the items in the hijacked vehicle:
*Lion claws.
* Lion teeth.
* Cash in Botswana and South African currencies.
The two suspects, Sergeant Phuti Masupje and Mathews Mamupu have been remanded in custody until 09 November 2018 for formal bail application.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has commended the members for the arrest of the two. He continued to warn community members, including police members, that the law will be applied impartially and without compromise. When confronting criminality, we will be resolute and merciless in our approach, regardless who is involved, concluded General Ledwaba.
The suspects are also facing a charge of defeating the ends of justice.
Police investigations into the origin and destination of the lion teeth and claws are already unfolding.
Source: South African Police Service