The Gauteng Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Ebrahim Kadwa has commended the recent conviction of police officers and a civilian for various charges including corruption, theft, robbery, extortion, kidnapping, assault and well as defeating the administration of justice by the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.
The verdict emanates from a case that was registered at Randburg police station in May 2018 and investigated by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Team. It was reported that Tebogo Michael Moeketsi (47), Choema Eric Moabelo (49), Isrom Moaone Phala (39), and Walter Enow Agbor (49), partook in a clandestine operation on the 8th of May 2018 at a house in Randburg. Four foreign nationals were found at the house, the officers reportedly seized R1.2 million in cash before they kidnapped the occupants under the guise that they were going to detain them, needless to say this never happened.
The Hawks’ investigation commenced intensely resulting in the recovery of R50 000 from the officers, they failed to give a reasonable explanation for the possession thereof. The following day on 09 May 2018 all four were detained after two of them went to the Hawks’ offices to submit their statements. The only declared exhibits in their version was a vehicle and documents. There was no mention of money stored or seized. Preliminary investigation exposed Walter Enow Agbor as the mastermind behind the crime, he was amongst the four occupants of the house on the day of the incident.
Following a lengthy trial and insurmountable evidence faced by the accused, on Wednesday, 22 May 2024, the court found all the accused guilty as charged for contraventions of sections of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECA). Case adjourned until 12 July 2024 for sentencing and serving of forfeiture order. Bail has been extended pending the next court date.
In a separate corruption related case that was registered in Krugersdorp during May 2016, resulted in a five year suspended sentence for a former detective constable Nkhangweni Colbert Netshendama (42) previously attached to Tarleton police station. Netshendama was arrested on 06 May 2016 following a search and seizure operation wherein he was found with R2000 in cash. He had solicited the money from an accused in a theft case and promised to have his case dealt away with. The Kagiso Magistrate’s Court has found him guilty as charged on 08 May 2024. He has further been declared unfit to possess a firearm in the future.
“When those tasked with enforcing the law become entangled in criminality, specifically corruption. The consequences of such activities are dire and far-reaching. This undermines the rule of law, erodes public confidence in the police and compromises the safety and security of every citizen. We urge the public to report corruption activities to ensure that justice is not only done, but it must also be seen to be done.” Major General Kadwa said.
