A 20-year-old man has been arrested in Phuthaditjhaba for allegedly impersonating a police officer and unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.
According to Free State police spokesperson Mmako Mophiring, members conducted an intelligence-driven operation on Tuesday (10/02) after receiving information about a suspect posing as a police officer and allegedly carrying a firearm.
Police located the suspect at a local tavern and escorted him to his residence, where a search was conducted. Officers recovered several police-related items, including a SAPS winter jacket, field dress trousers, constable insignia, police socks, a holster, police belt, an appointment certificate, ammunition, a firearm replica and a police training module.
“The suspect could not provide details about where he was stationed and later admitted that he was not a police officer. He claimed to have stolen the uniform from a police relative,” said Mophiring.
The suspect has been charged with possession of suspected stolen property, impersonating a police officer, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. He is expected to appear before the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 12 February 2026.
Compiled by Clement Matroos
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