A 32-year-old Matjhabeng Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) was arrested by members of Welkom Public Order Police (POP) Reaction Team on 23 April 2020.
The arrest follows intelligence driven information to the target address where on arrival, the police found a shotgun, a 9mm pistol and ammunition. The search continued to the suspect’s car which was parked at the house next-door. Inside one of his cars, a BMW, six live ammunition were found.
Whilst the police were busy outside the suspect approached two members and gave them a plastic bag containing an undisclosed amount of money, allegedly telling them to squash the case as he cannot afford to lose his MMC post at Matjhabeng Municipality.
The members refused the money and a charge of bribery was added to two counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and two counts of possession of live ammunition.
The suspect was arrested together with his 34-year-old wife. A BMW and the money were confiscated. The duo will appear at Welkom Magistrates’ Court in due course.
The Provincial Commissioner of Free State, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane lauded the members for good work. “Refusing to take bribery by our members is an indication that we still have loyal and patriotic members,” she said.
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