Police have arrested two men, aged 40 and 49, including a Mozambican national, for allegedly fitting and possessing illegal blue lights on a private vehicle.
The arrests follow an incident in June when police conducting a roadblock in the Wierdabrug area of Centurion stopped a vehicle fitted with blue lights.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the female driver told officers during questioning that the vehicle belonged to her husband.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of the 40-year-old owner of the vehicle on Friday, 03 July 2026.”
Mathe said police arrested a 49-year-old Mozambican national on Saturday.
“The Mozambican national allegedly fitted the blue lights to the vehicle.”
She said the suspects are expected to face charges under Regulations 176 and 185 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, which prohibit the unauthorised fitment and use of blue lights on private vehicles.
Mathe warned that fitting or using blue lights without lawful authority is a criminal offence.
“These regulations are in place to protect the public and to preserve the integrity of law enforcement vehicles.”
She said the illegal use of blue lights remains a serious concern, with criminal syndicates often using them to impersonate police officers.
“The illegal use of blue lights has become a serious concern, as criminal syndicates commonly known as the ‘blue light gang’ have used them to impersonate law enforcement officers and rob, hijack and terrorise unsuspecting motorists.”
Mathe said authorities would continue cracking down on the unlawful manufacture, sale, installation and use of blue lights.
“Anyone found manufacturing, selling, fitting or using unauthorised blue lights will face the full might of the law.”
“SAPS will continue to intensify operations to remove illegal blue lights from South Africa’s roads and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.”
She urged members of the public to report suspicious vehicles displaying blue lights.
“Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious vehicles displaying blue lights to the SAPS immediately by calling the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or using the MySAPS app.”
The two suspects are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday, July 6, 2026.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
IOL News
