Four police officers have been remanded in custody for theft and defeating the ends of justice after they allegedly stole R1.8 million from a zama zama boss.
The three males and a female, Sergeants Danisile Precious, Mahlangu (47), Mandla Ndlovu (49), Bongani Dlamini (40), and Doctor Zulu (42), attached to Barberton Detective Services appeared before the Barberton Magistrates on Friday 15 November and are expected to apply for bail on Tuesday, 19 November.
FOUR POLICE OFFICERS WERE ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED THEFT
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), their appearance follows after the officers were arrested during a joint operation by the Hawks Nelspruit-based Serious Corruption Investigation, Serious Organised Crime Investigation, and Mpumalanga Crime Intelligence on Thursday, 14 November, in Barberton.
It is alleged that on the same day, the police officers went to a zama zama paymaster’s house, where they searched.
During the search, they found R1.8 million stashed inside a bag in a wardrobe, which they allegedly took. It is also reported that the men and woman in blue took the paymaster’s son to the police station, where they locked him in cells without booking him for R1 800 000 in SAPS 13 or registering any case docket.
“It was further alleged that the police drove away with the cash, leaving the son of the paymaster in the police cells for five hours.
“Later, Crime Intelligence was summoned to the police station. On their arrival, they phoned the police officers to return to the police station. Upon their return, they produced the amount of R200 000, which they alleged was found at the paymaster’s house. The complainant, the son of the paymaster, opened a case of cash theft against the four police officials,” Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said.
POLICE URGED TO REFRAIN FROM CORRUPT ACTIVITIES
Following the arrest, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Gerber, welcomed the team’s swift response in arresting their own non-compliant and corrupt officials.
Gerber said that, as the Hawks, they would investigate and bring all perpetrators of crime to book without fear or favour and further warned all members to refrain from corrupt activities.
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