This week, three police officers are to appear in court after being taken into custody after failing to open a case and register the seized illegal cigarettes.
On Friday, September 30, 2022, three officers between the ages of 35 and 38 were arrested in the Zapplas police district near Groblersdal, Limpopo, on charges of corruption committed in July.
South African Police Service spokesmanBrigadier Motlafella Mozapelo said three constables posted at the Japplas police station were detained on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, for failing to initiate and register a case of illegal cigarettes recovered from a nearby gas station.
Instead, police officers put the owner in the back of a police vehicle, drove away with him, and then released him into the woods.
After this they left with four cartons of illegal cigarettes.
“The Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit arrested the suspects in Polokwane after an investigation that indicated they never registered a case and cigarettes. Three officers, Vusi Cepoto, (35), Mulse Jakoniya Lamola, (37) , and Malos Oscar Makhfola, (38), will appear before the Groblersdal magistrate again on 7 October for a bail application,” Mozapelo said.
a 27 year old Man As a police officer himself was also detained on corruption charges as he allegedly demanded payment for quashing proceedings against a man accused of rape.
According to SAPS, the defendant allegedly requested R7,600 to negotiate a deal with the prosecutor. The suspect once again called the victim and requested an additional R2,400. The matter was reported to the police, after which the accused was taken into custody. The bail application in his case was postponed till October 4.
Limpopo Police Commissioner Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe welcomed the arrests. Hadebe said that neither SAPS personnel nor members of the public who behave dishonestly and ruin the organization’s reputation will not be granted mercy.