Two cops accused of kidnapping a homeless man and placing him in a holding cells after they lost their first suspect will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court today.
According to a source, the two cops stationed at Maitland SAPS were busted on Friday morning after an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Unit.
The source explains that the constable was busted as he arrived for work while the warrant officer was arrested at his home in Eerste River.
“This thing dates back to 29 May when Maitland police arrested a suspect for house breaking. This guy is a ou skelm and was caught in the act.
“He was taken to the station when he complained about maag problems and these two officers had to take him to Somerset Hospital.”
The constable had failed to handcuff the skelm and left the hospital room to go to the toilet.
“The skelm saw an opportunity to escape and just jumped out of a window and ran away and he was never seen again.
“The two cops did not come to report what happened, instead they just picked up a homeless man on the street and put him in the cells.
“It was only the next morning when the detective arrived at the station that he realised that it was not the same guy and that is when the investigation started.”
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirms the arrest and says the cops were charged with kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.
Maitland Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson, Justin Kumlehn, called the incident “deplorable” and said: “As the Maitland CPF we will be following this case closely and hope that justice is served.”