In an endeavour to confront corruption, North West Provincial Anti Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) arrested five police officers in Jouberton, Klerksdorp and Vryburg on separate charges of corruption on Thursday, 11 July 2019.
In the first case, a 52 year old Warrant Officer attached to Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit (VCIU) was arrested on the morning of Thursday, 11 July 2019. It is alleged that the Warrant Officer solicited R3000.00 from the owner in exchange for releasing of a vehicle that was seized in January for enquiry. Consequent to R800.00 payment to the suspect, the matter was reported to the police for investigation. The suspect was arrested and briefly appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court. He was granted R2000.00 bail and will reappear in court on Thursday, 15 August 2019.
In the second case, two members working at Khuma police station were, on the morning of Thursday, 11 July 2019 arrested for corruption. The suspects’ arrest emanated from allegations that they took R1500.00 from a motorist in January this year.
According to information available at this stage, a motorist was driving his vehicle when he knocked down a pedestrian in January 2019. At the time of the incident, the matter was not reported to the police as it was apparent that the pedestrian was not injured. However, upon realising that she was injured, the pedestrian reported the incident to the police. The suspects who are both Constables, traced and found the motorist in Khuma. They allegedly demanded R2000.00 and threatened the motorist with arrest and seizure of his vehicle. In order to avoid the arrest, the motorist allegedly gave R1500.00 to the suspects.
During appearance in the Stilfontein Magistrates’ Court, the suspects, aged 43 and 52 were each granted R500.00 bail and the case was postponed until Wednesday, 24 July 2019.
In the third case of corruption, two members aged 39 and 49, working at Vryburg police station were also arrested in the morning of Thursday, 11 July 2019. The suspects briefly appeared in the Atamelang Magistrates’ Court where they were granted R2000.00 bail each. They are expected to appear again in the same court on Wednesday, 21 August 2019.
The suspects’ apprehension followed an investigation into allegations that they demanded and took R600.00 and R700.00 from tuckshop owners in Madibogo village in October 2018. It is alleged that the pair conducted inspections for expired goods at two tuck-shops in the village. Although they did not find expired goods on the shelves, the suspects; a Warrant Officer and Reserve Constable demanded payments from the tuck-shop owners on condition that they will not be arrested.
In addition and as part of dealing with corruption within the Service in the province, three police officers have been served with written summons / notice to appear in court on charges of corruption.
Furthermore, departmental investigations have been instituted against all the members in terms of South African Police Service (SAPS) Discipline Regulations, 2016.
As a result, the North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane lauded the Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit for bringing to book members for corruption. She said that all members are bound by the SAPS Code of Conduct to serve and protect as well as to act with integrity when performing their duties. “We are definite that the arrests will serve as a caution that corruption cannot be tolerated and that alleged perpetrators will be dealt with effectively,” said Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane.
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