Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane has welcomed the arrest of a Provincial Traffic officer who was allegedly involved in a business robbery incident in Limpopo Province.
According to the MEC, while the incident may dent the image of law enforcers in general, it also shows that the police are determined to deal with criminals even if suspects are found to be in their own ranks.
The suspect, Thabo Mona (26 years) is a traffic officer attached to Mkhuhlu Cost Centre and has appeared in Lulekani Magistrate Court on 17 November 2017 for a business robbery. The case has been postponed to 23 November 2017 for further investigation. The suspect remains in custody.
It is alleged that Mona with two other men robbed a shop allegedly owned by a foreign national in Lulekani Township near Phalaborwa on 15 November 2017. According to the victim, one of the men took out a firearm and a shot was fired when he (victim) tried to run for his life, but the shot missed him.
He alleged that the three men took R2000 and airtime vouchers to the value about R1500 from the shop. Police officers were called to the scene by neighbours after they we alerted by the victim and they (police) gave chase.
A back up from Hoedspruit Police Station was called and Mona was arrested near Mica. The other two men fled by foot and the police are still looking for them.
MEC Ngomane says that the department is very disappointed by this act and calls for a thorough investigation and swift arrest of the other two suspects.
“We cannot have people who continue to tarnish the name of the department and the good work that traffic officers are doing. Police and traffic officers are supposed to uphold the law and also protect the communities,” he said.
The MEC has however called on the communities to continue to work with government to end crime and not be discouraged by this incident.
"If Mona is found guilty, he must pay the price and face the law so that other traffic officers or police officers who think they can do as they please can get the message,” he said.
Ends…
Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza
Tel: (013) 766 1575
Mobile: 082 678 1450
E-mail: emabuza@mpg.gov.za