MEC for Community Safety Dan Plato is calling for the person who is handing out cop uniforms to skelms to be caught.
This was after police arrested a 24-year-old man who was found with an illegal firearm and police uniforms and SAPS equipment.
Cops were responding to a tip-off about illegal activities at a Wendy house in Hanekom Avenue, Uitsig, on Wednesday.
Police issue items such as a 22mm firearm, cap, pants, blue shirt with a name badge with the surname Scheffers, a winter coat, pepper spray in its holster, a private holster and a pair of handcuffs were confiscated.
The suspect is expected to make an appearance in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court soon on a charge possession of a prohibited firearm and police uniforms.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, explains: “Members had received information from the public about firearms at a house in Hanekom Avenue, Uitsig, and their persistence paid off when they arrested a 24-year-old suspect.
“A search of the premises revealed that a firearm was stored in a Wendy house in the backyard and also several police uniform items.”
MEC for Community Safety, Dan Plato, says they need information on where and how the suspect got his hands on the items, so they can stop “‘fake cops” from carrying out illegal activities.
“The police’s investigation will hopefully also answer pressing questions which have risen from this incident such as where the uniform and paraphernalia was obtained, who was involved in sourcing or acquiring the items and whether more of the items have ended up in the wrong hands,” said Plato.
“Impersonating a police officer is criminal and fake police officers cannot be tolerated.”