Three officers appear before Free State court for common robbery

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Three police officers have made a brief appearance before the Welkom Magistrate’s Court in Free State for common robbery.

On July 1, images of the three officers, 31-year-old Keabetswe Menyatso, 41-year-old Tshenolo Moloi and 29-year-old Mahlodi Mahlala where all over social media.

The two men and a woman are seen wearing SAPS bullet proof vests and a SAPS mask. A white polo sedan which was allegedly used by them can also be seen with flashing blue lights.

They allegedly pulled over a vehicle in Welkom and ordered the man to step out. The victim refused and drove to the nearest filling station where they followed him. It is alleged the police officers grabbed the victim’s cellphone and sped off.

The state opposed bail for the three accused in order to ascertain their addresses and for necessary information. The court heard that one of the accused has a similar case of common robbery pending in Johannesburg.

Investigations to link the trio to other cases are under way. The case has been postponed to July 26.

Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has condemned police criminality and corruption and has committed to fast tracking internal disciplinary processes.