THIS morning Metro Police issued a statement on its social media pages that a police constable, 27, from Cato Manor had been arrested for the alleged hijacking and murder of Zarah Ramsamy, 11.
However, the SAPS later issued its statement, saying that they were concerned about media reports claiming that a police constable, who was arrested, was linked with the hijacking.
"Although it is true that a police constable has been arrested, police wish to set the record straight that the officer is not linked to the hijacking or the murder.
"The constable was arrested after he was found in possession of a bank card, which belongs to the owner of the vehicle which was hijacked during the incident in question. At the time of the hijacking incident in the Malvern area, the arrested police constable was on duty in the Cato Manor policing precinct where he is stationed.
"When the hijacked vehicle was recovered in the Cato Manor area, the same constable was called upon to drive the vehicle to Malvern. It was during that time that the constable got hold of the bank card and stole it."
The statement by SAPS continued: "As such, the officer will be charged with theft and fraud for using the card and he will appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday."
The arrested officer, said the statement, would also face an internal disciplinary process "proportional to the crimes he has been charged with".
The overnight operation was led by SAPS, in conjunction with Durban Metro Police Special Operations Directorate, Fidelity SIU, Hawks Protection Services, and Magma Security and Investigations.
Zarah Ramsamy was hiding under her mother’s car when the hijackers drove over her on September 11.
The family had stopped at a fast food outlet in Malvern for supper when they were hijacked.
In its statement, metro police said: “The officer was found in possession of a bank card stolen during the hijacking of a Toyota Fortuner, last month. The young victim, who was hiding underneath the vehicle during the hijacking, was tragically killed when the hijackers drove over her. The vehicle was later recovered after being abandoned.
“In addition to the stolen bank card, various other items including brand new cards, cellphones, and number plates were also found in his possession,” read the statement.
“This was a job well done to all the officers involved in this successful operation. Their dedication and commitment to justice and the safety of our community are commendable.”