The Gauteng Department of Community Safety and the Provincial South African Police Service condemn allegations of corruption levelled against six members belonging to the South African Police Service. The officers were arrested for stealing an amount of R37 900,00 from a car passing through a Covid-19 lockdown operation on the old Bronkhorstspruit and Witbank road in Pretoria on Saturday, 18 April 2020. It is alleged that the officers stopped a vehicle which had three occupants and requested a travelling permit which the occupants didn’t have. A bribe of R100 was paid to the officers so that the car can pass the roadblock. The officers also proceeded to search the car and in the process, took the money. The matter was reported and a sting operation was conducted where the amount of R37 900,00 was found in possession of the officers.
Preliminary reports indicate that the officers also demanded bribes from other motorists who failed to provide the correct documentation including travelling permits. They appeared at the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate Court yesterday and were released on a bail of R7000 each. They are expected to appear in court again on Friday,26 June 2020.
Since the beginning of the lockdown period, law enforcement agencies in the province, led by South African Police Service (SAPS), have embarked on various operations across the Province to enforce the regulations put in place by government to thwart the outbreak of the coronavirus.
“It is a matter of concern that when the law enforcement agencies in the province are hard at work to enforce the Disaster Management Lockdown Regulations and arresting those contravening them, there are some corrupt officers who are using this an opportunity to advance their personal interests by conducting themselves in an improper manner. This conduct does not only negatively impact on public confidence in our law enforcement agencies but also undermines our efforts towards making Gauteng a safe and secure province for all citizens.
We encourage members of the public to report such activities at all times and to refrain from engaging in any form of corruption with law enforcement officers. This is to help us root out corrupt elements within the ranks of the law enforcement agencies and ensure that those who participate in such activities are dealt with accordingly without fear or favour. Such unethical behaviour is intolerable within the safety fraternity as it undermines the rule of law.
We remain steadfast in our efforts to build reputable law enforcement agencies to fight the scourge of crime.” said departmental spokesperson, Ofentse Morwane.
Meanwhile, on the 07th of this month, two members of Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) arrested a taxi driver for contravening the COVID-19 regulations and detained him at the Bronkhorstspruit Police Station. The taxi owner apparently paid R1500 to the two TMPD social crime prevention and a warrant officers.
The taxi owner lodged a complaint at the police station and the three officers were immediately arrested, charged for theft, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
Gauteng Provincial South African Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, says the officers who are involving themselves in illegal activities will continue to be dealt with. “We will not hesitate to arrest and we will continue to arrest our members who engage in criminal activities. These members have shown that they are criminals and we will treat them as such. We cannot afford to have criminals who disguise with our uniform and badges whilst committing their illegal deeds.
These arrests should send a message to other members who think of committing crimes while in the service. We also want to thank the community members who are coming forward to report our members who are seen committing crimes. No person is above the law and the law enforcement officers found committing crime will be dealt with decisively” said Mawela.