/ 29 June 1999

COPS NABBED FOR ASSISTING ILLEGALS

TWO Johannesburg policemen were arrested this week for allegedly helping four illegal immigrants from Mozambique to escape from a train transporting them back to their country. Investigating officer Sergeant Ian Polley of the internal tracing unit on Friday said the policemen would be charged with corruption, aiding and abetting, and assisting unlawful escapes from custody.

Polley said men from his unit hid about 2km from a Witbank intersection on Wednesday night, and a short while later observed the two police officers helping four immigrants through a train window. During the subsequent arrests, one of the immigrants escaped and is still on the loose.