Jeppe police officers accused of corruption

The man, who did not want his name published, said he had no choice but to pay two police officers R400 on May 21.

“I was going to Jeppestown and I was travelling on Albertina Sisulu Road. Two police officers in a patrol van stopped and asked me for my passport. I told them I had forgotten it at home,” he said.

The man, who is a Malawian national, said the police officers asked him where he lives and they put him in the back of the police vehicle.

“They told me they were going to the Jeppe SAPS but they did not. They drove around with me. We went to Hillbrow and Berea. We eventually stopped at a tyre fitment centre. They moved me to the front of the vehicle. Then they drove me to my house,” said the man.

The man said he retrieved his passport and showed it to the police officers. The officers did not leave. Instead, they kept his passport and house keys.

“They wanted R1 500 from me. I told them I did not have the money. They took me to an ATM and I had to withdraw cash. I only had R400, which I gave to them. I did nothing wrong but thought I might as well give them the money so that they could leave me alone and return my belongings. I just wanted it to end,” said the man.

The man said the police officers were initially threatening, but started acting “polite” just before asking for the money.

“I was shocked at what they did to me. I initially thought it was fine to go with them because I knew I could produce my passport if needs be. I always thought we are safe in the hands of the police but now I have doubts,” he said.

The police officers apparently never returned the man’s passport despite him giving them money.

“The next day I saw one of them again and I asked where my passport was. He said he would give it to me and that he knows where I live. A week later, I saw him again and asked him the same question. He gave me a phone number and said I should call that number to get my passport back,” said the man.

The victim called the number and a woman answered. The police officer had given him an incorrect number to call.

“I called that number on numerous occasions and eventually it started going to voicemail,” said the man.

He eventually decided to open a case against the police officers at the Jeppe SAPS last week.

“I opened a case because the police officers have made my life difficult. I need my passport. Everything I do financially requires me to produce my passport. If I go to the bank I need it; I cannot do anything without it. I have to be able to identify myself,” he said.

Warrant Officer Richard Munyai, the Jeppe SAPS communications officer, said the man was advised by senior management at the station to open a case and he did.

“The case has been assigned to an investigating officer. The man was visited twice by the visible policing commander. The police officers involved have not been arrested yet,” he said.

He said the officers have not yet been identified but once they are, they will be arrested for corruption.

“Their behaviour is unacceptable. If known, the members will be arrested and disciplinary steps will be taken against them. Corruption is a serious offence and members will be dismissed if found guilty during the departmental hearing,” said W/O Munyai.

He said in most cases members are suspended while their cases are being investigated but it depends on the seriousness of the case.

“We encourage the community to report such cases,” said W/O Munyai.

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