Two South African Police Service (SAPS) members; Sergeant Omphitlhetse Joseph Rantlhoa (48) and Sergeant Kabo Nicholas Molebatsi (47) were granted R2000-00 bail each upon appearance before the Lehurutshe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 25 July 2023.
They are expected to reappear before the same court on Thursday, 24 August 2023, for defeating the ends of justice.
The members’ court appearance stems from an incident in which a truck driver was arrested at Skilpadshek Port of Entry on Friday, 21 July 2023, for smuggling illicit cigarettes into the country.
The cigarettes were discovered despite confirmation by Sergeant Rantlhoa that they searched the truck.
That prompted investigations after it became apparent that the pair allowed the truck to pass without being searched.
The members were consequently arrested by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU).
The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest and said that the members’ action is absolutely unethical, intolerable and tarnishes the image of the Service.
