Corruption can be described as the abuse of entrusted resources or power for personal gain which has a detrimental impact on our society, especially if the corruptor is a government employee. It is for this reason that Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended the team which was involved with the recent arrest of an employee attached to the Department of Labour for corruption and extortion.
On Friday, 4 November 2022, the police in Gauteng arrested a 35-year-old suspect in Germiston on charges of corruption and extortion following an intelligence-driven operation.
A team comprising of members from SAPS Gauteng Provincial Head Office Organised Crime Investigations: Anti-Gang Unit, Kidnapping Unit and Tracking Team operationalised information they obtained on criminal activities involving a Department of Labour employee.
The employee allegedly regularly demanded “spot fines” from a construction company for alleged non-compliance. The matter was brought to the attention of the police by the complainant where after the investigation immediately commenced.
The suspect visited the construction site again on Friday to collect money from the complainant then subsequently the team apprehended the suspect. He was found in possession of cash he had demanded from the complainant.
In another incident, two members of Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) were arrested earlier on 6 November 2022 for soliciting a bribe from a public member for driving above the speed limit in Centurion.
Further investigation is still underway while the suspects are expected to appear before a Magistrates’ court soon.
“Police in Gauteng has zero tolerance against corruption and extortion, especially if the perpetrator is a government employee. Our members will leave no stone unturned in bringing any perpetrator of corruption to book,” said Lt Gen Mawela.
