Rustenburg – A 52-year-old policeman was arrested together with five other suspects for alleged conspiracy to commit house robbery as well as the possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
The men were arrested at a farm in Wolmaransstad, North West police said on Thursday.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Pelonomi Makau said the policeman, who works in Gauteng, and his accomplices were arrested on Tuesday, after the police received a tip off about a suspicious Volkswagen Polo carrying male occupants.
Local farmers allegedly cornered the vehicle and the five men ran away.
"On arrival, the police found the Volkswagen Polo and a 24-year-old suspect already being apprehended by farmers. Two of the suspects who ran away handed themselves to the police at the scene."
The police searched the car and found a police blue light, handcuffs, forensic exhibit bags and two illegal firearms.
The other three were arrested on the N12 road while hitchhiking.
"A further probe revealed that the 52-year-old suspect is a police official working in the Gauteng province. He was allegedly found in possession of a police appointment certificate. During the arrest, the police managed to seize three firearms."
They were expected to appear in the Wolmaransstad Magistrate's Court later on Thursday.