Nelspruit – Three\nsuspects aged between 31 and 35 were arrested at Ekulindeni in the early hours\nof today, for using Covid-19 to cover their ploy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the report,\na team of police officials received information about two vehicles which were\nbranded with Covid-19 insignia allegedly participating in criminal activities.\nThey (police) followed up on the information and noticed a VW Polo Sedan as\nwell as a Toyota Hilux Bakkie, which both matched the description given. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upon stopping the said\nvehicles, police found three occupants pretending to be COVID-19 officials on\ndeployment. They then found fake permits inside and further discovered that the\nsuspects were attempting to cross the border with the intention to collect dagga\nfrom a neighbouring country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The suspects were then\narrested and charged with Contravention of the Disaster Management Regulations\nas they also moved between provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The vehicles\nwere confiscated for further investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The management of the\nSAPS has welcomed the arrest of the three and have sent a stern warning to\nthose who think they will take chances during this Lockdown period that law\nenforcement agencies will deal decisively with them. Meanwhile the Provincial\nCommissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has\nindicated that the trick by the suspects of using COVID-19 insignia on their\nvehicles to covert criminal activities, did not come to pass as the astuteness\nof the police was magnificent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile the trio is\nexpected to appear at the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrate’s Court tomorrow,\nTuesday 28 April 2020. Police cannot rule out the possibility of adding charges\nrelating to fraud as they impersonated Covid-19 officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: South African Police Service<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"