S’African police arrest 21 criminals targeting foreigners
BY XINHUA
South African police have arrested criminals who were targeting Chinese nationals and other foreigners in the country, said authorities on Wednesday.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale said the criminals targeted vulnerable foreign nationals.
“A national investigation team set up by General Phiyega ( police Commissioner General) has uncovered two syndicates that are linked to one another operating in the Gauteng areas. They target foreign owned businesses, such as Chinese, Somalis and Pakistanis, for any valuables, particularly cash,” said Makgale.
“Six suspects were initially arrested after they approached business premises owned by a Chinese businessman in Boksburg North, ” the police officer added.
The suspects allegedly produced a fake custom’s search warrant with the intention of robbing the businessman.
“A vigilant employee immediately alerted the police resulting in these six suspects being arrested on the spot. These suspects are currently out on bail on charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering, robbery and house breaking,” Makgale said.
Some of these criminals were disguised as South African Revenue officials (SARS) and the police to rob foreigners. Those arrested also include police and SARS officials.
A total of 21 suspects have been arrested since the operation was launched last year.
Makgale said Tuesday that the police “arrested a South African Revenue Service Customs official and two accomplices in the east of Pretoria, for allegedly robbing a Chinese businessman at his home.”
“The fake SARS official, dressed in his official customs uniform, and with one of his accomplices wearing a SARS custom’s bib arrived at the complex and went straight to the businessman’s house, knocked at the door and introduced themselves as SARS officials,” said the spokesman.
“The police who had already been tipped off arrested them on the spot. One of them tried to escape, but was captured just 75 meters away from the complex,” he added.
The criminals have been targeting foreigners at various places. They would go to foreigners’ businesses and pretend to check for licenses and other issues only to rob. The police said these foreigners are keeping huge sums of money in their homes and business premises.
