Overview
- A June roadblock in Wierdabrug, Centurion, uncovered a private vehicle fitted with blue lights and prompted an investigation that led to the owner's arrest on July 3 and an alleged fitter's arrest on July 4.
- Afzal Abramjee, 40, and Manuel Sarafim Pinto, 49, are charged with operating a motor vehicle fitted with blue lights in breach of Regulations 176 and 185 of the National Road Traffic Regulations.
- The pair appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday and were each granted R10,000 bail with strict conditions that include weekly reporting to a police station, surrendering passports and no contact with witnesses; the matter is postponed to August 5 for further investigation.
- Police reported related arrests in Mpumalanga where suspects were found with blue lights, police uniforms and an unlicensed firearm, and they vowed stepped-up cross‑provincial operations to remove unauthorised blue lights from roads.
- Authorities warn that 'blue light' syndicates impersonate officers to rob and hijack motorists, and they urged the public to report suspicious vehicles via the Crime Stop hotline or the MySAPS app to help identify and remove illegal fittings.