Zeerust, North West - Five men, including two police officers, have been arrested for stealing confiscated contraband cigarettes at the Zeerust police station, North West police said on Friday.
Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said police received information about people who were stealing goods from a truck parked at the police station around 1am on Friday.
Police then observed and saw two members of the dog unit moving items out of a truck into a police bakkie.
The officers drove away and the vehicle was monitored.
“The two officers were followed up until... Shalima Park in Zeerust, whereby they were stopped and instructed to drive back to the station,” said Mokgwabone.
When the vehicle was opened, three men were found in the back of the van with 12 boxes of illicit cigarettes valued at R25 000.
Mokgwabone said the two officers had been booked off, but did not park the state vehicle as they were supposed to.
The five men, aged between 28 and 44, were arrested and charged with theft and possession of stolen goods.
“The two officers will be also charged with use of (a) state motor vehicle without authorisation,” Mokgwabone.
The men will appear in the Zeerust Magistrate's Court on Monday. - Sapa