Gauteng cop arrested for armed robbery, kidnapping

"It is alleged that on Monday 22 August 2016 the complainant, a Senegalese national (male), arrived at OR Tambo International Airport from Pretoria (Sunnyside)," Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said.

He was on his way to Hong Kong to buy stock for his shop. Upon his arrival at the airport he went to the SAA platinum check-in counter to check the flight information to Hong Kong. He then proceeded to exchange South African currency into an undisclosed amount of US dollars. He kept some money which was not converted into dollars. ?

At about 3.00pm, while the victim was on his way to the check-in point, he was intercepted by two African men. One of the men identified himself as a police officer stationed at crime intelligence in Kempton Park.

The police officer informed the man that he suspected he was carrying drugs and wanted to search him at the police station in Kempton Park. They then went to a car parked outside the airport - a white Toyota Etios. There were two people in the car.? The three joined them in the vehicle.

"They left OR Tambo International Airport driving on the R21 (Albertina Sisulu) to Pomona open veld where they robbed him [of] all his belongings, which included the US35,000 [and] R11,000, luggage containing clothes, passport, cellphone, and Ipad, and left him there.

"Fortunately a passer-by noticed the victim and assisted him to the airport police station were a case was opened. The police were informed and a speedy investigation was pursued by the detective task team. During the investigation the suspect was identified through the CCTV footage and swiftly arrested," Mohlala said.

The arrested policeman would appear in court on Monday. An investigation was still underway to locate the other suspects. Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects should contact Captain Kwena Sefaamela at 082-770-5474.