The City of Cape Town has announced the arrest of two Law Enforcement officers on charges of extortion.

The two officers, who were stationed at the Metal Theft Unit, were arrested on Tuesday morning, 2 December, as part of an investigation by the City’s Safety and Security Information Management Service (SSIMS) unit, in collaboration with the Hawks.

The incidents date back to January 2025, when the officers had allegedly extorted money from spaza shop owners. Warrants were subsequently issued for their arrests.

The Hawks say the duo also faces charges of corruption and business robbery.

Warrant officer Zinzi Hani says it is believed that the officers were targeting foreign nationals in spaza shops requesting their asylum documentation.

“With or without the documents, the officers will still demand money. On different occasions, the victims paid an amount of R5000 and R6000.”

Hani says one of the officers also allegedly stole cigarettes out of one of the victim’s vehicles to the value of over R600,000. This is while the victim was being processed at Phillipi East police station for not having asylum documentation.

The suspects, aged 36 and 41, will appear at the Cape Town Regional Court on Wednesday, 3 December.

Hani says the two suspects were previously arrested in May 2025 on similar charges and subsequently released on bail.

Law Enforcement Spokesperson Wayne Dyason says the Safety and Security Directorate is committed to rooting out corrupt and criminal elements that have infiltrated enforcement services.

“We will not hesitate to investigate and take the required action when wrongdoing is uncovered. This matter is also being dealt with in terms of City policies and processes, and we can confirm they will be suspended as the disciplinary process is underway.”