The Metro Police officers who allegedly robbed an Athlone business of R200 000 last week left the staff deeply hurt and shocked, says its manager.
A Metro Police officer has been arrested in connection with the incident and served with a pre-suspension letter, according to mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith.
Three men in Metro Police uniforms and a woman entered BH Wholesalers, in Carrick Street, as the shop was about to close at about 5pm on Friday March 10, according to the store’s manager who did not want to be identified.
The manager said he had already left for the day, but the armed officers, claiming to be looking for illegal cigarettes and weapons, had then searched the store without a warrant and taken R200 000 in cash from a safe before leaving in a Metro Police car and a bakkie with three staff members.
Near the Golden Dish takeaway in Rylands, the employees had been told to get out of the car or be shot, said the store manager. They had then walked back to the shop.
“The people who must protect us did this. Everything in the shop is legal. If we have a problem now who do we go to because we can’t go to the police? We need that money to pay our suppliers,” he said.
Mr Smith said he was deeply disappointed and angered about the officers’ alleged involvement.
“As soon as the City became aware of the allegations, contact was made with the SAPS detective and our own safety and security investigation unit traced and arrested one of the officers and handed him over to SAPS for further investigation.
“The City has also been actively involved in and supported the investigation, which is ongoing. I call on SAPS to fast-track the investigation so that we can establish the facts urgently, and offer the City’s ongoing support where it is needed.”
While no institution was immune to its staff engaging in crime, its reputation rested on the way it responded to such incidents, he said.
“If the allegations are true, it would bring shame to the department, and I am grateful for the swift and effective disciplinary action already undertaken by management of the directorate,” he said, adding that the arrested officer had been served with a pre-suspension letter.
“Our safety and security directorate has established itself as a trusted authority amongst the residents of Cape Town, and we strive to uphold the highest discipline standards. In the efforts of safeguarding such trust, our directorate will do all it can to ensure any member involved in any form of criminal conduct is quickly identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“To all the members across the various departments within the directorate, remember your oath. To all those who stay committed to the service, I honour you. To those who sway and risk the reputation of the service, there will be no going back.”
Athlone police station spokeswoman Sergeant Zita Norman said the Metro Police officers had also allegedly stolen two cartons of cigarettes.
“No shots were fired and no injuries sustained,” she said.