Police search for woman posing as South African cop ‘Captain Thomson' on Facebook
A woman using the Facebook profile name 'Khosi Thomson' is allegedly pretending to be a SAPS officer and posting pictures wearing clothing resembling police uniforms.
Police said the garments are not authentic SAPS-issued uniforms and that Thomson is a civilian of foreign nationality.
Authorities have warned Thomson to stop 'this illegal activity', but she has since locked her Facebook profile.
Authorities are searching for a woman who has been posing as a SA Police Service (SAPS) officer on Facebook under the name 'Khosi Thomson'.
Her profile features pictures of her in attire that mimics official SAPS uniforms, complete with insignias and a title reading 'Captain Thomson'.
The profile also lists the Johannesburg Central police station as her place of work.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Thomson is not affiliated with SAPS; she's a civilian of foreign nationality.
Mathe also confirmed that the clothing displayed in the photographs is not issued SAPS uniform.
SAPS/Athlenda Mathe
The South African Police Service Act, 1995 (Act No. 68 of 1995) explicitly prohibits the unauthorised wearing of SAPS uniforms or distinctive insignia.
Furthermore, using SAPS property in a manner that creates a false impression of affiliation with the police constitutes an offence.
'The SAPS, therefore, calls on Khosi Thomson to stop posing as a police officer and refrain from using the SAPS insignia,' Mathe said.
'The SAPS social media team have already reached out to Khosi Thomson, warning her to stop this illegal activity of posing as one of our members. Thomson subsequently locked her Facebook profile.'
Mathe said the police's Crime Intelligence unit is actively searching for Thomson and that an investigation is ongoing.
'Members of the public are reminded that it is illegal to falsely represent oneself as a member of the SAPS or to use a SAPS uniform, badge, or decoration without authorisation,' she said.
'Penalties for this offence can include imprisonment and fines.'
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