User talk:xRozuRozu

Welcome

Hello, XRozuRozu, and welcome to Wikipedia! Thank you for your contributions. I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are some pages that you might find helpful:

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I hope you enjoy editing here and being a Wikipedian! Please sign your name on talk pages using four tildes (~~~~); this will automatically produce your name and the date. If you need help, check out Wikipedia:Questions, ask me on my talk page, or place {{helpme}} on your talk page and someone will show up shortly to answer your questions. Again, welcome! — Kralizec! (talk) 13:26, 7 February 2023 (UTC)

I concur, welcome! And thanks for the help with anti-vandalism! ― Blaze Wolf^Talk_{Blaze Wolf#6545} 19:46, 7 February 2023 (UTC)

February 2023

Hello. Regarding the recent revert you made to Andrew: you may already know about them, but you might find Wikipedia:Template index/User talk namespace useful. After a revert, these can be placed on the user's talk page to let them know you considered their edit inappropriate, and also direct new users towards the sandbox. They can also be used to give a stern warning to a vandal when they've been previously warned. Also, please remember to leave an edit summary so that they may know what they did wrong. ― Blaze Wolf^Talk_{Blaze Wolf#6545} 20:03, 7 February 2023 (UTC)

Thanks for the info! xRozuRozu (talk) 20:06, 7 February 2023 (UTC)

No problem! If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or the folks at the Teahouse. ― Blaze Wolf^Talk_{Blaze Wolf#6545} 20:08, 7 February 2023 (UTC)

"error details"

Hey uh, the things you tagged as errors in the last correction are actually just ways to denote proper nouns, nothing major. So I'm reverting it alright?

cheers! ArqueKappa (talk) 14:10, 27 March 2023 (UTC)

Hello! I have read WP:IT and WP:ITALIC, but I still don't really understand the use of italic/boldface in this context. Please explain a little if possible. I won't revert anything until we reach consensus. Thanks! xRozuRozu (t • c) 21:00, 27 March 2023 (UTC)

@ArqueKappa sorry for the ping but it seems like you didn't read my message. Please reply if you did, thanks! xRozuRozu (t • c) 15:46, 29 March 2023 (UTC)

italics is used to highlight most proper nouns, bold is for names in particular, and only when first stated. ArqueKappa (talk) 02:26, 30 March 2023 (UTC)

Unmanned/uncrewed aircraft

I saw that you changed several instances of "manned" to "crewed". Judging by your edit summary, I assume that by "mos" you mean MOS:GNL. MOS:GNL specifically states that spacecraft are to be referred to as "crewed/uncrewed", but does not specify any such preference for aircraft. Per this discussion as well as several discussions at Talk:Unmanned aerial vehicle, "manned/unmanned" is the WP:COMMONNAME for aircraft with or without a pilot. "Crewed/uncrewed" is almost never used to refer to aircraft, and since Wikipedia is not a place to right great wrongs, it is not up to Wikipedia to "correct" the use of "manned/unmanned". - ZLEA _T\^C 03:01, 16 December 2023 (UTC)

Thanks for the info! I'll self-revert these changes. xRozuRozu (t • c) 04:03, 16 December 2023 (UTC)

Thanks. I started a discussion at Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Aviation, and I think something should be done to make the consensus more clear to avoid any confusion in the future. - ZLEA _T\^C 04:10, 16 December 2023 (UTC)

A similar position exists for historical nautical contexts. The attempt to change the language in the paragraph "manning the yards" in Yard (sailing) is a case in point. ThoughtIdRetired (talk) 09:25, 16 December 2023 (UTC)

Thanks for the cuppa.

Thank you kindly for that little cup of tea you left on my talkpage. :-) - Xterra1 23:50, 29 May 2024 (UTC)

You're welcome! :D xRozuRozu (t • c) 02:26, 30 May 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for the tea :)

		Cookies!
		MtPenguinMonster has given you some cookies! Cookies promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. You can spread the "WikiLove" by giving someone else some cookies, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend. To spread the goodness of cookies, you can add {{subst:Cookies}} to someone's talk page with a friendly message, or eat this cookie on the giver's talk page with {{subst:munch}}!

Thanks for the tea, have some cookies. --MtPenguinMonster (talk) 08:50, 4 August 2024 (UTC)

Thank you so much!! nom nom nom :D xRozuRozu (t • c) 05:39, 9 August 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for the coffee!

		Cookies!
		MtPenguinMonster has given you some cookies! Cookies promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. You can spread the "WikiLove" by giving someone else some cookies, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend. To spread the goodness of cookies, you can add {{subst:Cookies}} to someone's talk page with a friendly message, or eat this cookie on the giver's talk page with {{subst:munch}}!

Here's another batch of cookies. --MtPenguinMonster (talk) 02:28, 24 September 2024 (UTC)

thanks again! :) xRozuRozu (t • c) 03:03, 24 September 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for the tea

Did not expect expecting a small edit like that to garner any attention, let alone appreciation. Thanks for the tea, made my day a little brighter. — Kawnhr (talk) 23:50, 27 September 2024 (UTC)

You're welcome! Every contribution deserves to be appreciated :) xRozuRozu (t • c) 04:42, 30 September 2024 (UTC)

Loved the tea, have a brownie!

Desan5 has given you a brownie! Brownies promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. Spread the WikiLove by giving someone else a brownie, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend. I, for one, appreciate that you appreciate so many editors, even for the smallest of edits. Keep it up!†

You're welcome and thank you! :) xRozuRozu (t • c) 02:41, 3 October 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for the tea!

Thank you for the tea! Here is some spaghetti:

Some spaghetti for you!

Long-live-ALOPUS (talk) 06:57, 20 October 2024 (UTC)

Thank you! I love spaghetti :) xRozuRozu (t • c) 01:16, 21 October 2024 (UTC)

I hope you're not sick of cookies by now

		Cookies!
		Sandcat555 has given you some cookies! Cookies promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. You can spread the "WikiLove" by giving someone else some cookies, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend. It's a small thing, but your thanks legitimately made my day better. To spread the goodness of cookies, you can add {{subst:Cookies}} to someone's talk page with a friendly message, or eat this cookie on the giver's talk page with {{subst:munch}}!

Sandcat555 (talk) 20:32, 21 November 2024 (UTC)

Thank you so much!! I'm glad it made your day better :)

PS: We have a lot of userboxen in common! xRozuRozu (t • c) 22:40, 21 November 2024 (UTC)

I hadn't thought to add any to my page until I saw yours, I grabbed a few that applied to me from your page :p Sandcat555 (talk) 06:10, 23 November 2024 (UTC)

Ah that makes sense! I just spent like 10 minutes looking at your user page because there are so many lol xRozuRozu (t • c) 01:13, 27 November 2024 (UTC)

Glad to know somebody appreciates my collection! Sandcat555 (talk) 05:53, 30 November 2024 (UTC)

Minesweeper

I also love minesweeper! Your profile radiates positivity and I hope you are doing amazing!

		Cookies!
		Luke Elaine Burke has given you some cookies! Cookies promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. You can spread the "WikiLove" by giving someone else some cookies, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend. To spread the goodness of cookies, you can add {{subst:Cookies}} to someone's talk page with a friendly message, or eat this cookie on the giver's talk page with {{subst:munch}}!

Luke Elaine Burke (talk) 14:52, 25 November 2024 (UTC)

Thank you Luke!! I also hope you're doing well :) xRozuRozu (t • c) 01:15, 27 November 2024 (UTC)

Have a tea-steak!

Back at ya! Thank you for being such a cheerful presence on Wikipedia and for spreading the WikiLove!! :) Rodney Baggins (talk) 08:49, 3 December 2024 (UTC)

Woah! Tartare is my favorite, thank you! :D xRozuRozu (t • c) 22:14, 3 December 2024 (UTC)

Thanks for signing my guestbook

Hello, thank you for signing my guestbook! Very cool to encounter another INTP. Also, I noticed your rollback request; I believe RedWarn should still be able to be used on a school computer as it exists online in your account. Hope your request gets granted! -- Cosmic6811 🍁 (T · C) 06:44, 6 December 2024 (UTC)

You're very welcome :)

Woah, thank you so much for telling me! I looked at the install page and it seems like you're right, I'll check it out. Thanks again! xRozuRozu • ^tea_cups 06:59, 6 December 2024 (UTC)

Just saw your instagram story -- Cosmic6811 🍁 (T · C) 07:05, 6 December 2024 (UTC)

WHAT NO HOW DID YOU WHY WHAT xRozuRozu • ^tea_cups 07:09, 6 December 2024 (UTC)

its so over for me im sorry xRozuRozu • ^tea_cups 07:10, 6 December 2024 (UTC)

ITS OVER xRozuRozu • ^tea_cups 07:10, 6 December 2024 (UTC)

will you please delete your memory of that xRozuRozu • ^tea_cups xRozuRozu • ^tea_cups 07:13, 6 December 2024 (UTC)

yeah of course -- Cosmic6811 🍁 (T · C) 07:13, 6 December 2024 (UTC)

thank you xRozuRozu • ^tea_cups 07:14, 6 December 2024 (UTC)

also thanks for resetting the timer but STILL never remember it again im so sorry xRozuRozu • ^tea_cups 07:21, 6 December 2024 (UTC)

+rollback

Hi XRozuRozu,

After reviewing your request, I have added your account to the rollback group. Keep in mind these things when using rollback:

• Getting rollback is no more momentous than installing Twinkle.
• Users should be informed (or warned) after their edits have been reverted. If warnings repeatedly don't help, WP:ANI is the default place to go. In cases of very clear ongoing intentional damage to the encyclopedia, WP:AIV can be used.
• Reverting someone's edits may confuse or upset them. Whenever other users message you on your talk page, please take the time to respond to their concerns; accountability is important. For most users who message you, the tone and quality of your answer will permanently influence their opinion about Wikipedia in general.
• Because the plain default rollback link does not provide any explanatory edit summary, it must not be used to revert good faith contributions, even if these contributions are disruptive. Take the time to write a proper summary whenever you're dealing with a lack of neutrality or verifiability; a short explanation like "[[WP:NPOV|not neutral]]" or "[[WP:INTREF|Please provide a citation]]" is helpful.
• Rollback may never be used to edit war, which you'll notice to be surprisingly tempting in genuine content disputes. Please especially keep the three-revert rule in mind. If you see others edit warring, please file a report at WP:ANEW. The most helpful essay I've ever seen is WP:DISCFAIL; it is especially important for those who review content regularly.
• If you encounter private information or threats of physical harm during your patrols, please quickly use Special:EmailUser/Oversight or Special:EmailUser/Emergency; ideally bookmark these pages now. See WP:OS and WP:EMERGENCY for details. If you're regularly patrolling recent changes, you will need both contacts sooner or later, and you'll be happy about the bookmarks.

To try rollback for the first time, you may like to make an edit to WP:Sandbox, and another one, and another one, and then revert the row with one click. I'm sure you'll do great with rollback, but feel free to leave me a message on my talk page if you run into trouble or have any questions about rollback. Thank you for your time and work in cleaning up Wikipedia. Happy editing!

Best regards,
~ ToBeFree (talk) 02:37, 16 December 2024 (UTC)

Thank you! :) xRozuRozu • ^tea_cups 03:30, 16 December 2024 (UTC)

Because you thanked me

XRozuRozu, you thanked me for one of my recent edits, so here is a heart-felt...  YOU'RE WELCOME! It's a pleasure, and I hope you have a lot of fun while you edit this inspiring encyclopedia phenomenon! Itsziggyp (talk)

17:31, 16 December 2024 (UTC) Itsziggyp (talk) 17:31, 16 December 2024 (UTC)

I hope you have fun too! Your contributions are much appreciated :) xRozuRozu • ^tea_cups 17:33, 16 December 2024 (UTC)

My thanks to you :P

In the interest of promoting sweetness and light, you are hereby granted the coveted Random Chocolate Chip Smiley Award
(Explanation and Disclaimer)

EepTheMeep (talk) 11:33, 22 December 2024 (UTC)

Thank you very much! x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 19:51, 25 December 2024 (UTC)

You're very much welcome! Happy to have awarded this to you!

EepTheMeep (talk) 15:11, 3 January 2025 (UTC)

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2025!

Hello XRozuRozu, may you be surrounded by peace, success and happiness on this seasonal occasion. Spread the WikiLove by wishing another user a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past, a good friend, or just some random person. Sending you heartfelt and warm greetings for Christmas and New Year 2025. Happy editing, Abishe (talk) 23:03, 24 December 2024 (UTC) Spread the love by adding {{subst:Seasonal Greetings}} to other user talk pages.

Abishe (talk) 23:03, 24 December 2024 (UTC)

Thank you, and happy holidays to you too! x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 19:51, 25 December 2024 (UTC)

I hear you wanted some userboxes

Here's one:

This user loves to play Minesweeper.

The only reason I didn't make any Sunpov and Koume was because I either:
A. Couldn't find any information about it, or
B. I couldn't find an image on Wikicommons for it. Oops. Kxeon (talk) 14:27, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

AHHHHH NO WAYYYY Thank you so much!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

It's currently 1:55 AM here and this woke me up (in a good way). Nevermind, I must be dreaming x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 09:56, 3 January 2025 (UTC)

Is there such a thing as too many cookies? - Tea gratitude

		Cookies!
		Kxeon has given you some cookies! Cookies promote WikiLove and hopefully this one has made your day better. You can spread the "WikiLove" by giving someone else some cookies, whether it be someone you have had disagreements with in the past or a good friend. To spread the goodness of cookies, you can add {{subst:Cookies}} to someone's talk page with a friendly message, or eat this cookie on the giver's talk page with {{subst:munch}}!

Kxeon (talk) 14:29, 2 January 2025 (UTC)

A Barnstar for you!

		The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
		Thank you for going that extra mile to be nice. You have made lots of people smile with your interactions and spreading your kindness, and this barnstar is fully deserved. Thank you! Itsziggyp (talk) 16:38, 7 January 2025 (UTC)

You're welcome and thank you very much! This is the first time I've received a barnstar :) x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 22:44, 7 January 2025 (UTC)

Reply

Thanks for the cup of tea! Royal Autumn Crest (talk) 23:46, 15 January 2025 (UTC)

No problem! x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 06:16, 16 January 2025 (UTC)

Just for you. :)

		The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
		Thanks for observation, kudos, and kindness, Moira. Little acts of kindness and support do go a long way. Hope to see you around here more often. Any help etc. in any area I can give, feel free to ask. All the best for 2025 and beyond! Key. :) Kieronoldham (talk) 23:40, 28 January 2025 (UTC)

Thank you Kieron! I appreciate it :) x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 02:53, 29 January 2025 (UTC)

Happy First Edit Day!

Hey, XRozuRozu. I'd like to wish you a wonderful First Edit Day on behalf of the Wikipedia Birthday Committee! Have a great day! Cactus🌵 spiky ouch 07:26, 6 February 2025 (UTC)

Woah! I didn't even notice! Thank you very much :) x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 07:27, 6 February 2025 (UTC)

Happy First Edit Day!

Hey, XRozuRozu. I'd like to wish you a wonderful First Edit Day on behalf of the Wikipedia Birthday Committee! Have a great day! DaniloDaysOfOurLives (talk) 03:01, 11 February 2025 (UTC)

P.S. I am so so sorry for the lateness! DaniloDaysOfOurLives (talk) 03:01, 11 February 2025 (UTC)

It's alright! I appreciate it :D x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 04:20, 11 February 2025 (UTC)

Siddhartha Khosla

Hi there. You effectively removed a notable article that clearly met multiple NMUSIC criteria. Please be more careful in the future; I would suggest doing more than 15 minutes of research and not simply relying on a three-year-old redirect rationale. Thanks. --James (^talk/_contribs) 22:39, 19 February 2025 (UTC)

@James Allison Hello! Thank you for informing me of WP:NMUSIC; I now see that my edit was not constructive, and I apologize for any trouble I may have caused. Also, I'd like to thank you for continuing to improve the article. Cheers! x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 23:24, 19 February 2025 (UTC)

A branstar for you!

		The Organical Branstar
		Thanks for the tea and for your encouragements to other Wikipedians to help us stay regular and not feel crumby. Cheerio! BBQboffingrill me 21:46, 18 March 2025 (UTC)

You're welcome and thank you! x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 01:53, 19 March 2025 (UTC)

Your thread has been archived

Hello XRozuRozu! The thread you created at the Teahouse, Author doesn't want their works to be referenced on WP?, has been archived because there was no discussion for a few days. You can still read the archived discussion. If you have follow-up questions, please . See also the help page about the archival process. The archival was done by lowercase sigmabot III, and this notification was delivered by KiranBOT, both automated accounts. You can opt out of future notifications by placing {{bots|deny=KiranBOT}} on top of the current page (your user talk page). —KiranBOT (talk) 03:33, 24 March 2025 (UTC)

A rat for you!

	Leaving your message on the Guestbook
	Thank you for leaving your mark on my guestbook AND for being 5th to do so! 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙮𝙧𝙖𝙩 ⋅ 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙠 ⋅ ☆ (talk) 20:56, 10 April 2025 (UTC)

Woah! A rat! Thanks, I will cherish it :) x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 20:58, 11 April 2025 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

	Raph Williams65 Guestbook Barnstar
	Hello XRozuRozu, this barnstar is presented to you for signing my guestbook. Thanks – Raphael 13:05, 13 April 2025 (UTC)

You're welcome and thank you! x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 03:21, 15 April 2025 (UTC)

Thanks for welcoming me to Wikipedia!

I just wanted to thank you for doing so. I'll see if I can create an account later if I don't forget. 24.173.222.91 (talk) 18:51, 17 April 2025 (UTC)

You're very welcome! Have fun on your editing journey, and feel free to ask me if you have any questions. :) x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 05:13, 18 April 2025 (UTC)

Pending changes reviewer granted

Hello. Your account has been granted the "pending changes reviewer" userright, allowing you to review other users' edits on pages protected by pending changes. The list of articles awaiting review is located at Special:PendingChanges, while the list of articles that have pending changes protection turned on is located at Special:StablePages.

Being granted reviewer rights neither grants you status nor changes how you can edit articles. If you do not want this user right, you may ask any administrator to remove it for you at any time.

See also:

• Wikipedia:Reviewing pending changes, the guideline on reviewing
• Wikipedia:Reviewing pending changes#Requirements to accept an edit, when to accept an edit
  

Callanecc (talk • contribs • logs) 04:25, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

Thank you! :) x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 04:39, 21 April 2025 (UTC)

Projects tool

Hi @XRozuRozu - in case you were not aware, you might find this tool useful: WP:RATER. It allows you to add projects to the talk page of an article very easily. Regards, Goldsztajn (talk) 11:35, 23 April 2025 (UTC)

@Goldsztajn Thank you so much for informing me! Just to make sure, I don't have to be a member of a project to add it to the talk page, right? x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 22:06, 23 April 2025 (UTC)

Not at all, feel free to add to whichever projects appear appropriate. Regards, Goldsztajn (talk) 23:51, 23 April 2025 (UTC)

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Because you thanked me

XRozuRozu, you thanked me for one of my recent edits, so here is a heart-felt...  YOU'RE WELCOME! It's a pleasure, and I hope you have a lot of fun while you edit this inspiring encyclopedia phenomenon! MSAOM (talk)

18:48, 16 May 2025 (UTC) MSAOM (talk) 18:48, 16 May 2025 (UTC)

Happy Birthday!

A bit early, but thank you very much! :) x RozuRozu • ^tea_cups 02:41, 19 May 2025 (UTC)

Blue Light Bandits

Template:Lead section of an article The Blue Light Bandits, also known as blue light gangs, are criminal groups operating in South Africa who impersonate police officers or other law enforcement officials to commit various crimes. These crimes primarily include robbery, vehicle hijacking, kidnapping, and other violent acts, often targeting motorists and sometimes tourists. The term refers to multiple unrelated criminal syndicates employing similar tactics, with significant activity reported in provinces such as Gauteng and Mpumalanga. The gangs typically use vehicles fitted with unauthorized blue flashing lights to simulate an official police presence and induce victims to stop.

Method of operation

Blue Light Bandits employ a consistent modus operandi that generally involves the following tactics:

• Police impersonation: Perpetrators often wear full or partial police uniforms, including vests marked "POLICE," or other apparel resembling that of law enforcement personnel to appear legitimate.
• Vehicle modification: Civilian vehicles, frequently models such as Volkswagen Polos, Ford Rangers, or Toyota Hilux bakkies, are illicitly equipped with blue flashing lights and sometimes sirens to mimic official police or traffic vehicles.
• Fraudulent traffic stops: Using these modified vehicles and blue lights, the criminals signal motorists to pull over, often selecting highways or more isolated roads to minimize witnesses and ease escape.
• Armed coercion: Once a victim has stopped, the assailants, typically armed with firearms, approach the vehicle to overpower and control the occupants.
• Robbery and extortion: Victims are robbed of cash, mobile phones, bank cards, and other valuables. In many instances, victims are kidnapped and forced to withdraw funds from ATMs over extended periods, sometimes several hours, while the criminals use their bank cards.
• Violence and intimidation: Perpetrators often resort to physical violence, including assault, and make death threats or threats of other serious harm (such as sexual assault) to ensure compliance from their victims.

Notable incidents

Mpumalanga Province

Sean Stephens kidnapping (January 2024)

A widely publicized incident occurred on January 6, 2024, involving Canadian businessman Sean Stephens, CEO of the digital marketing company Treefrog. Stephens, his two teenage children (Trinity, 18, and Kai, 15), his mother Heather, and a 12-year-old girl his mother had adopted, were kidnapped in Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit), Mpumalanga province.

The family was returning from Eswatini, where they had visited a children's home as part of Heather Stephens' missionary work. After stopping at a petrol station, their vehicle was pulled over by armed men in a pickup truck using blue flashing lights. The assailants, posing as police officers and wearing vests with "POLICE" markings, assaulted Sean Stephens with a pistol and forced the family into the criminals' vehicle. They were driven to a remote wooded area near a cliff, robbed of their belongings, and forced to provide bank card PINs under threats of death and sexual assault.

The Stephens family was then held in the covered bed of a pickup truck for approximately three hours while the perpetrators drove to various locations to withdraw money from their bank accounts using the stolen cards. After the accounts were emptied, the family was released in the Masoyi area outside Mbombela. Sean Stephens sustained a concussion during the attack, and the family reported losses of approximately $10,000 in cash and belongings. His mother's charity also suffered financial losses due to the robbery. Stephens and his children returned to Canada on January 8, 2024.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) launched an investigation. According to Stephens, police informed him that the same group was suspected of attempting similar kidnappings the previous day and had committed other kidnappings before and after his family's ordeal. Following the incident, Stephens stated he would not return to South Africa.

Other incidents (January 2024)

During the same period as the Stephens kidnapping, other similar incidents were reported in Mpumalanga:

• On January 8, 2024, a Dutch couple was reportedly stopped in Hazyview by suspects in a white double-cab bakkie equipped with flashing blue lights. They were subsequently kidnapped and robbed.
• Also on January 8, 2024, four friends traveling between Standerton and Trichardt were stopped by individuals in a white VW Polo displaying blue lights. They were kidnapped, and the assailants withdrew money from their bank accounts.

Deadly confrontations

Blue Light Bandit activities have led to fatal encounters:

• In June 2021, on the R50 road near Delmas, a motorist driving a Toyota Hilux Double Cab engaged in a shootout with two suspected Blue Light Bandits who were attempting to hijack him. The motorist fatally shot both suspects but succumbed to his own injuries. The suspects were found in possession of police face masks and reflector jackets.
• In April 2024, three suspected Blue Light Bandits were killed during a high-speed chase and subsequent shootout with a multidisciplinary police team on the N3 highway near Grootvlei, Mpumalanga. The gang was allegedly responsible for at least six blue light hijackings in the preceding two weeks.

Police corruption cases

Incidents of police officers being involved in Blue Light Bandit activities have been documented. In March 2025, four suspects, including two serving SAPS officers, were arrested in Gauteng in connection with blue light robberies. eNCA reported that the officers were implicated after being captured on camera during a truck hijacking. The investigation also led to the arrest of two civilian accomplices found in possession of firearms and signal jamming devices.

Targeted vehicles

Law enforcement and private security reports indicate that Blue Light Bandits often target specific types of vehicles, although any vehicle can be at risk. Commonly targeted models include:

• Ford Ranger
• Toyota Fortuner
• Toyota Hilux (specifically GD-6 models)
• Toyota Land Cruiser
• Other luxury SUVs

Law enforcement response

South African authorities, primarily the South African Police Service (SAPS), have undertaken various measures to address crimes committed by Blue Light Bandits:

• Specialized Task Forces: Multidisciplinary teams are often formed, comprising members from SAPS Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Teams, Highway Patrol, and other specialized units, sometimes in collaboration with private security companies.
• Arrests and Operations: Numerous operations have led to the arrest of suspects and the dismantling of blue light syndicates.

   * Three suspects were arrested on the West Rand in November 2021.
   * Three individuals impersonating police were arrested in the North West province in July 2023, found with a Ford Ranger fitted with blue lights.
   * As mentioned, three suspects were killed in a shootout on the N3 in April 2024.
   * Four suspects, including two police officers, were arrested in Gauteng in March 2025.
   * Two suspects linked to over 30 hijackings on the N3 were arrested in March 2025.

• Public Awareness and Advisories: SAPS and security groups have issued public guidance for motorists who suspect they are being stopped by bogus police:

   * Acknowledge the signal to stop (e.g., by using turn signals or hazard lights).
   * Reduce speed but proceed cautiously to a well-lit, public area, such as a petrol station or a police station, before stopping.
   * If possible, contact emergency services (e.g., 10111) or a security company to verify the legitimacy of the stop or request assistance.
   * Try to observe and remember details of the suspicious vehicle and its occupants.

SAPS has indicated that over 300 suspects linked to kidnappings, many involving blue light tactics, were arrested in the two years preceding early 2024.

Broader context

The Blue Light Bandit phenomenon is part of the larger issue of high crime rates in South Africa. The country has reported a significant number of kidnappings, with some sources referring to it as having one of the highest rates in Africa (9.57 kidnappings per 100,000 inhabitants as of 2023, according to a Daily Maverick report).

Several factors are considered to contribute to the persistence of these crimes:

• Accessibility of Police Equipment: There have been reports and concerns about how criminals acquire police uniforms, blue lights, and other official insignia. Some sources suggest these items may be stolen, sold by corrupt individuals, or that official procurement processes have been compromised. A Wikipedia article on "Crime in South Africa," citing other sources, notes that between 2018 and 2020, insufficient funds for new police uniforms coincided with some official items being found in the possession of hijackers.
• Low Crime Detection Rates: The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) has previously highlighted low crime detection rates in South Africa (around 12.5% according to one report mentioned by Daily Maverick), suggesting that many perpetrators may evade prosecution.
• Involvement of Corrupt Officials: The documented participation of active police officers in Blue Light Bandit operations severely undermines public trust in law enforcement and complicates efforts to combat these syndicates.
• Identified Hotspots: Certain routes have become particularly notorious for Blue Light Bandit activity, including:

   * The N3 between Villiers and Heidelberg
   * The R23 road between Heidelberg and Balfour
   * The R50 road near Delmas
   * Major roads in Mpumalanga, particularly around Mbombela and Hazyview.

Note on image: The image originally included in the draft markdown was from an external news site (TopAuto). For use on Wikipedia, an image would need to be verified for copyright status, ideally sourced from Wikimedia Commons with a compatible free license, or be in the public domain.

See also

• Crime in South Africa
• Hijacking in South Africa
• Kidnapping
• Police impersonation
• South African Police Service

External links

• South African Police Service (SAPS) - May contain crime statistics and public safety information.
• What you should know about 'blue light' hijackings in South Africa - BusinessTech (provides overview and advice).

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Police impersonation.

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• • Key changes and considerations in this draft:**

1. **Lead Section:** Made more concise and compliant with Wikipedia's lead section guidelines. 2. **Wikilinks:** Added numerous internal links to relevant Wikipedia pages. 3. **Tone and NPOV:** Adjusted phrasing for a more neutral and encyclopedic tone (e.g., "Perpetrators often wear" instead of "Criminals wear"). 4. **Structure:** Used standard Wikipedia section headings. 5. **References:**

   * I've used the `` format for the first instance of a source and then `` for subsequent uses of the same source, which is common in Wikipedia wikitext.
   * I've tried to make the reference list itself clearer. For an actual Wikipedia article, you would use citation templates (e.g., ` {{cite news}}: Empty citation (help)`, ` {{cite web}}: Empty citation (help)`).
   * **Important Note on Dates in Your References:** Several of your references (e.g., [^13], [^14], [^17], [^18]) have dates like "March 2025" or "September 7, 2024." Given that the current date is May 15, 2025, some of these might be typos in your original list, refer to ongoing reporting cycles where the "year" implies the current operational year, or are actual future-dated syndication issues for online content. For Wikipedia, the actual publication date of the cited article is critical. I've added notes in the references where these seem ambiguous. Please double-check these dates against the original articles.
   * **Self-Reference to Wikipedia (Ref [^19]):** Your draft cited Wikipedia for a claim. Wikipedia articles cannot cite themselves as a source. You would need to find the original underlying source that Wikipedia itself uses for that information and cite that directly. I've noted this in the reference list.

6. **Image Note:** Added a comment regarding the image and Wikipedia's copyright policies. 7. **Removed Redundant/General External Links:** Some external links in your draft pointed to articles already used as specific citations or very general pages. The "External links" section in Wikipedia is usually for a few key official or highly comprehensive resources not used as specific inline citations.

This draft should give you a solid foundation. Remember to thoroughly review and verify all information and sources against Wikipedia's guidelines before attempting to publish. Gvihar (talk) 07:37, 19 May 2025 (UTC)