Female cop and ex-cop arrested for farm-attack, Schweizer-Reneke

 

May 23 2010 - Female cop, ex-cop suspects in farm attack

Johannesburg - A police constable has been arrested for attempted murder, North West police said on Sunday. And an ex-cop also was expected to turn himself in. Lieutenant-General Lesetja Ephraim Beetha said the female constable, aged 34, was part of an armed gang which had attempted to attack a farm outside Schweizer-Reneke on Friday.

The unnamed farmer apparently heard gunshots on his premises and saw three people entering through the gate. After another gunshot was fired, the farmer drew his own firearm and shot back. The suspects fled on foot. Neighbouring farmers began a search for the robbers.

SAP equipment found

They stopped a woman who was driving a bakkie on the Hartsfontein gravel road. The police then arrived on the scene and searched the vehicle. "In possession of the driver, police found her police identification certificate."

• A gun, and a police-issue torch and two-way hand radios were amongst the items recovered by the police. A police appointment certificate belonging to a person who resigned from the force in February was also found. The vehicle was registered in the name of the police officer who resigned.

The constable, stationed at Florida crime prevention unit, was immediately arrested and detained. On Saturday, police arrested another person believed to be part of the attack gang. "We have been informed that the third suspect - [the] resigned police official - will be handed over to the police in due course by his legal representative."The two arrested will appear on a charge of attempted murder at the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrate's Court on Monday. http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Cop-arrested-after-farm-attack-20100523