Newcastle SAPS have launched an investigation into a business robbery involving approximately 15 men who allegedly posed as police officials to steal R50 000 from a tavern. The crime, executed with a firearm and a demand for a liquor licence, occurred on 5 April 2025, prompting police to pursue the suspects.
According to police reports, verified by Lizzy Arumugam of Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications, the incident unfolded on Saturday evening, at approximately 6:30 pm along Gutenberg Street in the Industrial area.
On the night, the group of men approached a tavern, and demanded the business owner show them his liquor licence.
After complying with the men’s instructions, one of the so-called ‘police officers’ proceeded to pull out a firearm and point it at the horrified tavern owner and demanded that he open the burglar door. The owner then proceeded to escape his business without opening the door to the group of men.
When he returned later that night, he discovered that the men had stolen R50 000 from his business, as well as his computer and hard drive. While it could not be established if the group of suspects wore police uniforms or not, Arumugam noted that investigations into the matter were still in full swing to track the suspects down and establish how they managed to pose as police officers and bring them to task.
It should be noted that this is not the first time in Newcastle where community members have been targeted by individuals posing as police officers.
In February 2025, Newcastillian News reported how a local businessman was contacted by fake police officials who attempted to bribe him after accusing him of rape.
To read more, click here.
Going back even further, in February 2022, two men were arrested on Kirkland Street, after attempting to rob community members under the guise of being police officers.
To read more, click here.
As incidents such as the above are not isolated incidents in Newcastle and South Africa at large, what do you beleive would be the solution to the problem? Let us know in the comment section below.
