Members of the Provincial Anti-Corruption, Lebowakgomo Crime Intelligence together with the Murder and Robbery unit arrested two suspects aged 33 and 37 for corruption on Wednesday, 14 June 2023 in Polokwane.
According to information, a female Police Sergeant from Umlazi SAPS in KwaZulu-Natal Province, approached the Investigating Officer of a business robbery case that occurred in May 2023 at Savanna Mall in Polokwane, whereby armed suspects robbed a Jewellery store of Jewellery worth millions of rands and five of them were arrested a week later in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
It is reported that the Sergeant made several attempts to persuade and influence the Investigation Officer not to oppose bail for the five suspects in exchange for an amount of R40 000-00 in cash.
She made arrangements to pay the money and subsequently drove to Polokwane on Wednesday, 14 June 2023 to bribe the investigating officer.
She managed to meet the investigating officer and gave him an amount of R37 000-00 before she drove away in a silver Honda with her brother. Little did she know that the meeting with the investigating officer was a set up and she was monitored.
The Police who were observing her tried to stop her vehicle when she left the scene but the driver sped off and a car chase ensued until the vehicle was cornered at N1 South road next to Shell fuel station about 10km from Polokwane where the two were arrested.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has warmly welcomed the arrest. “This will definitely send a message that this Province has no space for criminals and those who test the waters will be arrested without mercy.” concluded General Hadebe.
The two suspects will appear before Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 15 June 2023 on a charge of corruption.
The Police investigations are still continuing.
