/ 4 May 2013

Police posse arrested for allegedly escorting Gupta guests

Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said the nine allegedly formed a contingent that used private vehicles illegally fitted with police blue lights
Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said the nine allegedly formed a contingent that used private vehicles illegally fitted with police blue lights

Officers from the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) were arrested after they allegedly escorted Gupta family wedding guests to Sun City, the city's chief of metro police said.

"Our members have been arrested," said Superintendent Isaac Mahamba in a telephone interview. The Gupta saga: More coverage The Gupta wedding in pictures Pick: Your friends or your country, Zuma Guptas offer to co-operate with investigators

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"We will do our own investigation on the charges as we need to verify information with the local police station."

He said the internal investigation would determine what steps would be against them.

He could not confirm if they had been suspended, but said an investigation first needed to be carried out.

Mahamba said the nine allegedly formed a contingent that used private vehicles illegally fitted with police blue lights, sirens and false number plates.

Some carried their service weapons
It was also alleged that some had carried their service weapons while performing private duties, which was in contravention of the Firearms Control Act.

A jet chartered by the Gupta family made an unauthorised landing at the Waterkloof Air Force Base – a national key point – on Tuesday.

It was carrying guests to the wedding of Vega Gupta (23), to Indian-born Aaskash Jahajgarhia at Sun City, North West. The Gupta's own the New Age newspaper and Sahara Computers.

The jet was moved off the base on Thursday afternoon, amid widespread criticism.

"The department wishes to state that the officers were involved in this matter in their private capacities and did not use the uniform or vehicles of the TMPD," said Mahamba.

"They were not given permission to participate in the whole affair." – Sapa