Cops thought Malema was a hijacker

Pretoria - Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema was stopped by a group of armed policemen at the Grayston off-ramp in Johannesburg on Sunday because they suspected the convoy was a gang of blue light hijackers, News24 reported on Thursday.

News24 journalist Karabo Ngoepe’s story cites a report written to the acting national police commissioner, Lieutenant General Kgomotso Phahlane, in which the officers involved gave their version of events.

According to the report, it is alleged that a member of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, who had knocked off duty, noticed a Golf 7 fitted with blue lights driving on Chris Hani Road in Soweto.

He then inquired on the radio as to the owner of the vehicle and it came through as unknown.

All the vehicles continued to drive behind the car, waiting for more back up. Around 10 cars eventually stopped Malema's convoy.

The police officer in question said that, after stopping the car, he recognised Malema, as he was the one asking why he had been stopped and harassed.

Malema was calmed down by a flying squad member, and told they had not been aware that it was him in the convoy.

"Everyone then departed and went their separate ways," the report said.

This article first appeared on News24 – see here.