Fake Interpol cop denied bail

A man who masqueraded as a police officer from Interpol and demanded R300 000 bribe money from a suspect in Mpumalanga earlier this month is still behind bars.

This after his bail application was turned down when he appeared at the Carolina Magistrate’s Court last week, Hawks spokesman Major Robert Netshiunda said.

“Sipho Shabangu, 52, who was arrested in Swaziland for running a Black Dollar scam and released after paying R30 000 in Swaziland, was approached by Gcina Mvimbi Dlamini, 40, who told him that he was from Interpol and was tasked to arrest Shabangu for his shenanigans in the Kingdom of Swaziland.

“Dlamini then demanded R300 000 for Shabangu’s freedom. Shabangu paid R150 000 in cash and promised to pay the rest on a later date. Dlamini kept on pressurising Shabangu who ended up taking the matter to the Hawks, Netshiunda said.

An investigation was launched and an appointment to hand over the remaining R150 000 to Dlamini was set.

“The fake Interpol man was arrested seconds after putting the loot in his pocket.”

He was denied bail and is due to appear in court on 18 April 2016 when he will continue with his bid to get bail.