Men posing as cops shoot resident

Cape Town - 090127 - At Khayelitsha's Nonceba Hall on National Police Day there was a meeting to help organize how local organizations could assist the police in dealing with community issues. Photo by Skyler Reid.

Cape Town - 090127 - At Khayelitsha's Nonceba Hall on National Police Day there was a meeting to help organize how local organizations could assist the police in dealing with community issues. Photo by Skyler Reid.

Published Aug 5, 2014

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Cape Town - Criminals posing as police officers are targeting homes in Mitchells Plain – most recently opening fire on a man who requested a warrant for a search of his house.

This is one of a few incidents which reportedly took place in Mitchells Plain in the last three months, some perpetrated by criminals in police uniform or with criminals in possession of a SAPS badge.

Police could not confirm other incidents but encouraged residents to report such crimes. The issue will be among those discussed in a meeting tonight between the Mitchells Plain Community Forum (CPF) and the police.

Last Sunday, July 27, a Lentegeur resident was shot in the stomach when he tried to thwart six men who had stormed his home in Middleton Street, police spokesman Frederick van Wyk said. He said the incident happened at 11am and the gunmen were driving a blue VW Polo Classic.

Five went inside the house.

“They produced a police badge asking to enter the house with the intention of searching for illegal items. The 33-year-old victim asked for a search warrant. It’s then that the suspect assaulted him and forced the occupants of the house to lay down, pointing at them with a firearm,” Van Wyk said.

He said one of the occupants was shot in the stomach before the gunmen made off with a laptop, four cellphones, an undisclosed amount of cash and a bag.

Police are investigating a case of attempted murder and robbery but are yet to make an arrest. Van Wyk warned residents to ask for “positive identification and confirm with the relevant station before giving the person access”.

This was echoed by Mitchells Plain community police forum chairman Abe Isaacs who said the CPF was concerned by the incidents.

On June 6, armed men in police uniform robbed an ATM at Promenade Mall in Mitchells Plain, making off with an undisclosed amount of cash. The bogus police officers overpowered security guards as they were about to replenish the machine, assaulting them before tying them up.

There have been various notices on social media of people reporting incidents where they have been approached by criminals posing as police officers. These incidents could not be confirmed by police.

Isaacs said the forum has warned residents to be more vigilant.

Anyone with information about the latest incident can contact Detective Sergeant Ivan Ryneveldt on 082 411 2382, CrimeStop on 08600 10111 or by SMS to Crime Line 32211.

Cape Times

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