adminThupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
South Africa’s organised crime-busting unit, the Hawks, have arrested two police officers for demanding a R500 bribe from an illegal Zimbabwean migrant they intercepted in Mokopane town in Limpopo province. Hawks provincial spokesperson (Limpopo) Captain Matimba Maluleke said the duo — a warrant officer (50) and a constable (35) — was stationed at Mokopane Police Station.
He said they were arrested on Tuesday afternoon by the Serious Corruption Unit.
“We will release their (suspects’) names at a later stage,” said Capt Maluleke.
“The pair allegedly arrested a foreign national on Tuesday afternoon for being undocumented and demanded R500 bribe for his release.
“The victim, who was allegedly locked at the back of the police van, phoned his relative to ask for the money. The matter was brought to the Hawks attention and an entrapment was carried out, resulting in the arrest of the suspects soon after accepting the bribe.”
The suspects, he added, will appear at the Mokopane Magistrates’ Court today on charges of corruption, defeating the ends of justice and kidnapping.
He said further investigations into the matter are underway.
Capt Maluleke urged members of the public to avoid engaging in corrupt activities, adding that they should report all corruption cases to the police.
The incident comes a few months after corruption charges against two South African police officers accused of taking a R2 000 bribe from an illegal Zimbabwean immigrant in Polokwane were temporarily withdrawn pending further investigations.
Windy Heyman (40) and Tebogo Mojapelo (32) were picked up on April 11 last year soon after receiving the money.
The cops had allegedly used the same method to seek a bribe.
So far, the Hawks have arrested over 25 South African border authorities in Limpopo province between May 2016 and last year on charges of fraud and corruption.
In 2017, two South African immigration officers based in Limpopo province were arrested by the Hawks for taking bribes from Zimbabwean travellers and asylum seekers entering the neighbouring country through Beitbridge Border Post.
The suspects were arrested following intensive investigations which began in 2012.
Online Reporter