JMPD officers' arrest: Charges withdrawn in alleged vehicle theft case

The charges against members of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) arrested for their alleged involvement in the theft of a car have reportedly been withdrawn.

The officers, from the Tactical Reaction Unit, were involved in an attempt to recover the vehicle last month, which is believed to belong to an alleged illegal mining kingpin.

Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Mngcini Tshwaku, has reportedly welcomed the decision.

Five officers from the JMPD’s Tactical Reaction Unit, and two members from the Vehicle Recovery Unit, were reportedly arrested during the recovery of the vehicle.

South African Police Service (SAPS) members carried out the arrests, prompting a negative reaction from the City’s Department of Public Safety.

MMC Tshwaku maintains that the metro officers were detained unlawfully because they were not informed of their charges at the time of their arrest.

The officers were initially granted bail, and now, according to the Department of Public Safety, all charges against them have been withdrawn.