A truck driver’s pleas for help went completely ignored when two police officers allegedly helped themselves to his spilled cargo instead of protecting it after a crash on the R101 just outside Modimolle. Now the two cops, along with a general cleaner from the same police station, have been arrested.
The incident happened in the early hours of Monday 14 July when a delivery truck transporting pallets of washing powder lost control and went off the road. The impact caused part of the load to scatter along the roadside. As the driver tried to secure the scene, several motorists stopped and began looting the cargo.
Not long after, a marked SAPS vehicle arrived with two officers inside. Instead of stopping the looting, the officers allegedly joined in and loaded washing powder into their patrol van before driving off. The driver says he begged them to help, but they ignored him and disappeared while the looting continued.
The driver managed to gather key information and reported the matter without wasting time. A joint investigation was launched by the Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit and the Modimolle Local Criminal Record Centre.
On Friday 18 July, police conducted a search and recovered some of the stolen goods at the home of one of the officers. Investigators also linked a third SAPS employee, a general cleaner, to the crime.
Read | Looting of trucks seen as a ’crime without consequences’ on SA highways
All three suspects, aged between 49 and 55, are due to appear in the Modimolle Magistrate’s Court on Monday 21 July 2025. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said it is disturbing when those tasked with enforcing the law are the ones breaking it. She promised that corruption and criminal behaviour within SAPS ranks will be dealt with harshly.
Anyone with more information is urged to contact their nearest police station or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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