Four police detectives from Kirkwood police station appeared at the Port Elizabeth Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday 22 May 2019, after they were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Crime Investigation team earlier on for alleged corruption.
Three Detective Sergeants; Riaan Van Reenen (40), Liza Van Reenen (45), Ferdinand Noonen (36), and a 49 year old, Warrant Officer Gabriel Hobbs allegedly acted in common purpose and ensured that a complainant in an assault case, which occurred on 26 March 2018, withdraws the matter against Sergeant Riaan Van Reenen.
The alleged assault of the 51 year old victim took place in the Kirkwood area and he subsequently opened a case docket at the local police station. The said case was assigned to Sergeant Ferdinand Noonen for investigations.
On 4 April 2018, the two sergeants and Warrant Officer Hobbs allegedly visited the home of the complainant and offered him money to drop charges against their colleague.
The complainant eventually accepted an amount of R500 under duress, after the arrival of the investigating officer in the case, R400 of which was paid immediately, with an arrangement that the balance was to be paid at a later stage. A case withdrawal sworn statement was then prepared which the complainant was allegedly made to sign.
The said docket containing the withdrawal statement was then presented to the Public Prosecutors office for decision and the prosecutor declined to prosecute. During October 2018 the matter was revived following information advanced by the complainant in an internal disciplinary process.
All four accused have each been released on R1000.00 bail and the matter is expected back at court on 21 June 2019 pending further investigation.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
