Two Mpumalanga police officers appeared in the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Friday, after they were busted with dagga allegedly stolen from the exhibits storeroom, police said.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Leonard Hlathi said Warrant Officer Reginald Coka, 48 and Sergeant Sipho Mathenjwa, 40, were both stationed at the Mahamba Police Station before the arrest.
“The officers’ arrest came after a tip-off was received on Thursday regarding the duo who were busy loading dagga into a state vehicle at the storeroom of the police station,” Hlathi said.
Members from visible policing and crime intelligence were alerted and responed. The state vehicle was spotted in Piet Retief and was stopped and searched.
“During the search, five bags filled with dagga, believed to have been stolen at the above-mentioned stores, were found on the back seat of the bakkie. They were seized, the members arrested and charged with possession and dealing in dagga as well as corruption.”
Hlathi said Coka and Mathenjwa were granted R2,000 bail each. The case was postponed to September 06, for further investigation.
Speaking about corruption, Mpumalanga police commissioner Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma said: “The arrest of the members by their colleagues is an indication that no one is above the law, as well as the resolve by the SAPS [SA Police Service] to root out all rotten elements within their ranks, to ensure that no form of crime/corruption is tolerated within the service.”
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