A 44-year-old Sergeant Godfrey Setatwe will reappear in the Taung Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 04 December 2020, on a charge of defeating the ends of justice.
The accused’s court appearance stems from his apprehension by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit on Wednesday, 25 November 2020 in Taung. That was after a murder accused, Orapeleng Patrick Ratilodi, informed the court when testifying and at the same time, handed out a statement through his defence, claiming that his cell phone was lost at the time of the incident, thus, disputing his linkage with the incident through a cell phone.
The court was adjourned to allow the investigating officer to authenticate the statement including obtaining an affidavit from the police officer who commissioned it. Subsequent investigation revealed that Setatwe then rushed to the member who purportedly commissioned the statement to persuade him not to cooperate when questioned about the statement and not to attend court.
Setatwe was consequently arrested and appeared in the Taung Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 27 November 2020. He was remanded in custody for formal bail application.
Investigation into the matter continues and the motive of the incident is yet to be determined.
The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for the swift response that led to the arrest of the accused as part of rooting out corrupt employees who tarnish the image of the Service.
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