Thuloane Makume, who was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of two Brits teenagers, has been a police officer for the past 18 years.
The sergeant is attached to the Letlhabile detective unit, said police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone.
Makume, Nathaniel Mokwena, 41, Sendry Phage, 58, Virgilo Hlongwane, 33, Nkanyiso Hadebe, 25, and Boitumelo Bogatsu, 44, appeared in the Brits Magistrate's Court on Thursday.