Cops up for armed robbery

Five Cape Town police officers arrested for attempted murder and armed robbery will get no mercy if convicted.

This warning was given by Western Cape community safety MEC Lennit Max yesterday.

The four constables and an inspector, all based at the Kraaifontein police station, are alleged to have been involved in a shooting at a private home in Wallacedene on December31.

One person was injured and a case of attempted murder was opened.

"The complainant said the shots were fired by people in police uniform," police spokesman Captain Gerhard Niemand said.

"We are not releasing names until the members have been formally charged in court."

The case was investigated by Kraaifontein detectives - colleagues of the allegedly dirty cops.

"If they are guilty as alleged, there is no place for them in the police service," Max said.

Niemand said the first of the officers to be arrested was detained in a raid on his home on Friday. Ammunition linked to the crime was found.

On Sunday, a police reserve inspector was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrate's Court on Tuesday and will appear again today.

Yesterday, three more Kraaifontein police officers were arrested in connection with the case. They will appear in the Blue Downs court today.

A researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, Andrew Faull, said the incident revealed flaws in the police reservist system.

"It is very important but there is no abuse of access to police uniforms and weapons," he said.