The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) in Gauteng arrested seven police officers based in Ekurhuleni. They will be making their first appearance at the

Nigel Magistrates' Court today for allegedly terrorising staff members at LM Café in Nigel.

IPID spokesperson Robbie Raburabu said the officers - four members of Ekurhuleni Infrastructure Unit and three members from Germiston Crime Intelligence handed themselves over at Benoni Police Station and were detained at the Nigel Police Station.

"The officers allegedly assaulted staff members at LM Café, destroyed property, including the digital video recorder of the establishment, and stole more than R200 000 in cash. They also allegedly took more than 150 boxes of cigarettes but only handed in less than what they had confiscated to the authorities," said Raburabu. 

The officers face charges of assault, aggravated robbery and malicious damage to property.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the SAPS won't tolerate corruption from any of their members. 

Mathe said they've launched an internal investigation into the conduct of the seven arrested officers. 

"Where it manifests, members are dealt with according to the internal prescripts," she said." It is quite disturbing and concerning, but it gives us an opportunity to rid our organisation of bad apples," Mathe said.