The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s (JMPD) Tactical Reaction Unit (TRU) has arrested seven South African Police Service (SAPS) officers for extortion and kidnapping. This follows an undercover sting that exposed their alleged attempt to extort an illegal miner, known as a Zama Zama on Wednesday.
According to Joburg MMC for Public Safety, Dr Mgcini Tshwaku, the incident unfolded when the SAPS officers allegedly demanded a R5,000 bribe from the miner after discovering gold-refining materials in his possession. The demand later ballooned to R30,000, and the officers allegedly drove their victim to a loan facility to secure the payment.
Before the extortion could be completed, the JMPD Tactical Reaction Unit pounced, arresting the officers on the spot.
“The Zama Zama is now providing a statement to investigators. The arrested officers are being detained at Booysens Police Station where a case of extortion and kidnapping has been opened,” Tshwaku confirmed.
He said the incident underscores JMPD’s commitment to rooting out corruption — even when it involves fellow law enforcement officers.
This latest arrest comes just days after SAPS officers detained members of the JMPD’s own Tactical Reaction Unit, accusing them of crimes during a vehicle recovery operation linked to a suspected Zama Zama kingpin.
On Monday, an outraged Tshwaku told reporters that five TRU officers and two members of JMPD’s vehicle recovery unit were arrested in Bekkersdal while tracking down a stolen vehicle allegedly connected to an illegal mining syndicate operating on the West Rand.
“Our officers located the stolen car and began processing it when SAPS members from Bekkersdal suddenly arrived, arrested them without cause, and seized their firearms, cellphones and vehicles,” Tshwaku said.
He described the arrests as “baseless and fabricated,” claiming JMPD’s internal affairs investigators were later denied access to the detained officers and that SAPS members failed to account for their actions.
Tshwaku has since called on Gauteng Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Tommy Mthombeni to urgently intervene and launch an independent, transparent investigation into what he described as an “alarming abuse of power.”
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed that four TRU officers and two undocumented foreign nationals were arrested and appeared in court on charges of attempted theft, malicious damage to property, trespassing, defeating the ends of justice, and contravening the Immigration Act.
Gauteng NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the officers were granted R4,000 bail each and are expected back in the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
