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Man Claiming To Be a SAPS Colonel Arrested After Asking Officers for a Lift
Police in the Northwest dealt with an unusual late-night visitor this November. What began as a request for help turned into the swift arrest of a man who had allegedly been posing as a senior police officer.
According to confirmed police information, officers at the Bloemhof police station were approached on the night of 18 November by a 52-year-old man who introduced himself as a colonel stationed in Pretoria. He explained that his car had apparently broken down in Warrenton and asked for a lift to Bultfontein. The request may have sounded odd, but experienced officers know that impersonation has become a growing issue in several provinces. Their instincts told them to look closer.
Vigilant officers turn suspicion into a confirmed arrest
Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the officers ran quick checks and soon realised that the man, identified as Sinki Lukas Msiba, was not a member of the South African Police Service at all. He was arrested immediately. The following day, on 19 November, he appeared in the Bloemhof Magistrate’s Court and was remanded in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for 8 December while investigations continue.
Acting provincial commissioner Major General Ryno Naidoo applauded the officers for their alertness. He noted that some individuals target police stations in attempts to gain access to sensitive spaces or to misuse state resources. The arrest, he said, stands as a reminder that anyone attempting to impersonate police personnel will face firm action.
A wider pattern that continues to worry police
This incident adds to a growing list of concerns within law enforcement about impostors using SAPS identity to commit crimes or gain an advantage. Last year, in a separate Pretoria Central case, another man pretending to be a police officer was arrested for kidnapping foreign nationals and extorting money from their families. Officers patrolling Lillian Ngoyi Street had stopped a suspicious vehicle and soon realised two of the passengers were being held against their will. Those victims later explained that the driver had pretended to be a police officer before demanding nine thousand rand for their release.
Stories like these tend to spark strong reactions on social media, where many South Africans express a mix of frustration and relief. Frustration comes from seeing official uniforms misused by criminals. Relief comes from knowing that alert officers continue to pick up irregularities quickly, often preventing even more serious harm.
Why impersonation is taken so seriously
Police impersonation is not treated lightly in South Africa. The uniform carries authority and trust, and individuals misusing it risk causing real damage to communities, especially vulnerable people who might be targeted under the belief that they are dealing with genuine officers. For this reason, SAPS continues to stress the importance of verifying credentials and reporting anything suspicious.
The Bloemhof case stands out because the suspect walked straight into a police station and initiated the interaction himself. Officers say this is unusual, but it shows how essential vigilance remains, even in routine encounters.
What happens next
Msiba will remain in custody for now as the investigation develops. Police are yet to confirm whether he has attempted similar impersonations elsewhere. For residents in the Northwest and across the country, the message from SAPS leadership remains clear. Pretending to be a police officer is a serious offence, and stations remain alert to anyone attempting to misuse the badge.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Shutterstock
