The relentless efforts by the SAPS in rooting out corruption whilst fighting crime on the other hand, has yielded positive results as a 45-year-old police Constable, stationed at Piet Retief was arrested on Tuesday 18 May 2021, after being found in possession of about 27 bags of dagga inside his private vehicle to the estimated value of R350 000-00.
He is due to appear before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 20 May 2021.
According to information, the police officer was working night duty on the day in question when a report was brought to police about bags of dagga seized from another person which were never registered in the books neither did they reach the police storage.
The matter was probed by astute members who noticed something sinister in a Toyota Fortuner belonging to one of their own. The officer was then approached, his vehicle searched where bags stashed with dagga were recovered. The member could not give a proper explanation as to why the dagga was in his vehicle and not in the police storage.
He was then arrested and charged, hence his court appearance. An internal disciplinary action against the member is underway.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Major General Thulani Phahla has condemned the alleged behaviour displayed by the member. “We employ members to fight crime as well as corruption and not to exacerbate criminal activities. The Police Service is not a place to harbour criminals.” concluded General Phahla.
