Public alert: Foreign national falsely represents herself as police officer on Facebook

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has issued a stern warning to Khosi Thomson, a foreign national, regarding her illegal impersonation of police officers.

National police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, said Thomson has several pictures of herself in various clothing depicting to be that of police uniform.

“SAPS confirms that the clothing in these pictures is not SAPS issued uniform,” she said.

Mathe added that Thomson claims she is a police officer attached to the Johannesburg Central Police Station, however, preliminary investigation revealed that she is not a member of the service and that she is a civilian.

“The SAPS social media team has already reached out to Khosi Thomson by warning her to stop this illegal activity of posing as one of our own members. Thomson subsequently locked her Facebook profile.

“SAPS therefore calls on Thomson to stop posing as a police officer and refrain from using the SAPS insignia. Our crime intelligence unit is actively searching for her, and an investigation is underway,” said Mathe.

Mathe reminded the public that it is illegal to falsely represent oneself as a member of SAPS or to use SAPS uniforms, badges, or decorations without authorisation.

“Penalties for this offense can include imprisonment and fine,” she added.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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