Robbery and kidnapping accused TMPD officer granted bail

Tshwane Metro Police Department officer Tukiso Brian Makgolane has been granted bail after his arrest in connection with a robbery and kidnapping incident. At the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, Makgolane faced charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping. He was allowed R3,000 bail, and the case was adjourned to 2 December for further investigation.

According to National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, Makgolane allegedly pulled over a driver along the R80 highway on 4 July. The driver and his friends were instructed to exit the vehicle after the stop. Mahanjana reported that while the complainant was standing with the accused, three men wearing firearms approached and ordered him to get back into his car. The men then drove off with the complainant, leaving the accused at the scene.

The alleged kidnappers then directed the complainant to drop off his friend at a specific street in Pretoria. They later took the driver to an undisclosed house, where he was held against his will. The complainant's family was contacted and a ransom demand, of an undisclosed amount, was made for his release. The man was eventually released and dropped off in a veld in Wonderboom on 17 July.

He sought help at a nearby petrol station and was later picked up by his brother. The incident was reported to the police on the same day he was released.

Makgolane turned himself in to the police on 17 September following the investigations. During the bail proceedings, the state did not oppose the accused's release on bail as he was deemed not a flight risk. The court concluded that his release was in the interests of justice.