Polokwane – Two men have been arrested after allegedly posing as police officers and tricking a woman into withdrawing R61,000, which they claimed would be kept safely at a police station.
The suspects, aged 35 and 42, were arrested following an intelligence-led operation by Polokwane detectives after the woman was allegedly targeted in the Polokwane CBD.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the woman from Botlokwa village was approached on Landros Mare Street on Friday, 21 August 2026, by a man who falsely claimed that someone was trying to scam her money using what appeared to be traditional medicine.
Two other men allegedly joined him and posed as police officials, offering to help the woman.
The suspects allegedly took her to Polokwane Police Station, where they questioned her about money held in her bank accounts.
After she revealed that she had substantial funds in two accounts, the men allegedly convinced her to withdraw money to protect it from the supposed scam.
The woman was then taken to Savannah Mall, where she withdrew R61,000.
“The suspects then accompanied her to another bank branch, where she was unable to withdraw the remaining funds because an appointment was required,” SAPS said in a statement.
The woman made an appointment to return to the bank the following day.
The suspects allegedly told her that the R61,000 would be kept safely at the police station.
However, when the woman returned to the station on Saturday, 22 August, with her children to enquire about the alleged officials and her money, she discovered that she had been robbed.
“She returned to the police station with her children to enquire about the alleged officials and her money, only to discover that she had been robbed and that the men were not police officials,” SAPS said.
Police chase
An investigation subsequently linked the suspects to the Mahwelereng area outside Mokopane.
During an intelligence-led tactical operation, detectives spotted the suspects travelling in a white Toyota Vitz along Landros Mare Street near an Engen garage.
Police said the suspects allegedly tried to evade officers when they were stopped, resulting in a pursuit.
They were eventually cornered and arrested near Polokwane Provincial Hospital.
“The suspects were subsequently cornered and arrested near Polokwane Provincial Hospital. The vehicle was confiscated for further investigation,” SAPS said.
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects could be operating across several areas, including Bela-Bela, Modimolle, Lephalale and Polokwane.
Police are investigating whether the men could be linked to other cases involving a similar modus operandi.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 August, facing charges of robbery and impersonating police officials.
Additional charges could be added as the investigation progresses.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers welcomed the arrests and commended detectives for the intelligence-led operation.
Scheepers also warned the public against handing money, bank cards or banking information to people claiming to be police officers without first verifying their identities.
Police reminded the public that legitimate officers will never instruct victims to withdraw money and hand it over for “safekeeping” or to prevent an alleged scam.
The provincial commissioner also appealed to anyone who may have been targeted using the same method to come forward.
Such information, SAPS said, could help investigators establish whether the suspects are linked to other crimes.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
