Lichtenburg — North West Premier Thandi Modise has asked members of the public to blow the whistle on corrupt police officers after two policemen were arrested for dealing in illegal diamonds.

According to the North West police, the two Gauteng policemen and two other men were arrested in Bakerville village near Lichtenburg on Saturday afternoon after a tip-off from members of the public.

The two policemen are accused of buying two "diamonds" for R7 000, and on finding they were fakes, returned to confront the two sellers who were also later arrested.

"We call on our communities to support efforts to rid the police service of criminal elements. There should be no place in the police service for officials who have a link with criminals and or are involved in crime," said Modise on Monday.

She said the involvement of police in crime undermines the confidence that the public has on law enforcement.

"The arrest of the two policemen for their alleged criminal activities over the weekend is commendable and should send an unequivocal message to other rogue policemen," she said.

North West police spokesman Captain Pelonomi Makau said the arrest took place at a house where the fake diamonds are believed to have been bought.

"They allegedly threatened and intimidated the house owner with death when they could not find the sellers at the house where the deal was struck.

"Unfortunately for them some of our members were already nearby to investigate after a tip-off from the community, and that is when we arrested the two policemen. We later arrested the sellers nearby," said Captain Makau.

He said the service pistols of the two policemen were seized during their arrest.

Their court case continues in the Lichtenburg magistrate's court.