May 05 2006 at 09:54AM
Cape Times, South Africa
By Karen Breytenbach
Western Cape police have arrested two of their own and issued a warrant of arrest for a former detective allegedly involved in an armed robbery at a Somali man’s shop in Bellville on Thursday.
In recent months Somali immigrants have frequently fallen victim to robberies and xenophobic attacks.
The Cape Times has learned that two dog handlers, one from the police’s Maitland dog unit and another from Faure dog unit in the Eastern Metropole, were arrested late on Wednesday night, but have not yet been charged.
| Fallen victim to robberies and xenophobic attacks |
An apprentice dog handler from Maitland is under investigation, but has not been arrested.
No shots were fired and the 42-year-old Somali shopkeeper was unharmed, but the robbers took a large number of goods and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Police are still searching for the former police detective, also allegedly involved in the robbery in Durban Road.
According to a senior police officer, who asked not to be named, four civilians are also under investigation.
The commanders of the two units were among those investigating the scene of the robbery on Monday night and were asked to submit a report to Provincial Police Commissioner Mzwandile Petros.
In a statement, Petros said he had given instructions for the immediate arrest of the former detective.
“The investigation into the involvement of the Dog Unit members continues to ascertain whether they are indeed implicated,” said Petros. “This forms part of the ongoing drive to eradicate corruption and criminal behaviour among police officials in the Western Cape.
We are serious about exposing members of the police who are found to be involved in crime…”
Captain Elna de Beer said that although suspects would normally have to appear in court within 48 hours of arrest, the two dog handlers were scheduled to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
De Beer said the two officers had been suspended with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the court case.
“Our decisive action in these matters intends to send out a strong message that criminal behaviour is not tolerated, and that there is no place for such members in the service,” Petros stated.
The murder of a 45-year-old Somali shopkeeper in Kayamandi outside Stellenbosch last month was the fifth targeted robbery of a Somali in the area this year.
The police have requested members of the public with related information to contact CrimeStop on 08600 10111.
Source: IOL, May 5, 2006
