Durban - A Durban policeman who was out on bail after being arrested for allegedly stealing petrol has been rearrested this week for allegedly trying to sell a stolen police radio for R2 000.
Dean van Zyl, 26, a policeman of about three years, appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. He was arrested in a sting operation after he tried to sell the radio to a tow truck driver at a petrol station in Westmead, Pinetown, spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said.
Naicker said the operation was carried out by the cluster commander of KwaDukuza, Brigadier Derrick Captain-Hastibeer, who had received a tip-off.
Naicker said the police were waiting nearby, and when Van Zyl took the money, they moved in and arrested him.
He was charged with corruption and theft.
His attorney, Dumisani Dlungwana, confirmed his client had been granted R2 000 bail, and the case had been postponed to January 29 next year.
Naicker said: “This latest arrest once again demonstrates the police’s commitment to rooting out corruption and dealing effectively with criminals within the SAPS.”
Van Zyl appeared in the same court on Tuesday, just a day before his latest arrest.
According to a policeman, Van Zyl had recently sent his car for repairs at a panel beater’s but, once the repairs were completed, he apparently refused to pay, and the owner of the shop withheld the car.
But an upset Van Zyl went back to the shop with a gun and forcibly removed both his car and the shop owner’s car from the premises.
He was arrested and charged with armed robbery, but was released after being granted bail. The case was postponed until next Wednesday.
Two weeks ago, Van Zyl appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on charges of theft. He allegedly filled his tank with fuel a number of times at a petrol station, but did not pay. - The Mercury