Bloemfontein – Two offduty police constables have been arrested in Bloemfontein after they allegedly threatened a taxi driver at gunpoint and stole cash.
Police spokesperson Captain Chaka Marope said the two constables, one from Parkweg and the other from Bloemspruit, were arrested on Friday night.
Marope said: “Information revealed that the two boarded a taxi from Mangaung location to Windmill Casino at around 9:30pm. Upon arrival at their destination, the two allegedly changed their minds and requested the driver to drop them off in the Bloemfontein Central Business District (CBD).
“It is alleged that on the way, an argument erupted between the driver and the two police officials after the driver had picked up another passenger who wanted to be dropped off first in Willows area. In the process of the argument, one police member allegedly pulled out the firearm and pointed (at) the driver.
“The driver managed to stop the vehicle and jumped out and screamed for help. The passerby motorist stopped and offered the driver assistance by calling the police. The police who were on patrol in the close vicinity were dispatched and arrested the two police constables on the scene.”
According to the police, the taxi driver further alleged that the two police officials stole an undisclosed amount of cash that was in the vehicle and also attempted to drive off with his vehicle by cutting of the ignition cables.
The two arrested constables, aged 31 and 32, were expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate`s Court on Monday on charges of pointing of a firearm, theft of cash and attempted theft of a motor vehicle.
ANA