LIMPOPO – Two police officers stationed in Phalaborwa are set to appear before the Phalaborwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday, February 24, facing charges of theft.

The officers, 43- and 50-years-old respectively, are alleged to have been involved in corrupt activities related to the illegal sale of confiscated copper exhibits.

According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the officers were authorised to dispose of copper that had been seized in various criminal cases in and around Phalaborwa.

However, instead of following proper procedures, the officers allegedly booked out the exhibits and transported them to a metal shop in Phalaborwa on Saturday, February 1. It is alleged that they sold the copper in five separate transactions and received cash in return.

Upon returning to the police station, only one of the officers deposited a quarter of the money at the SAPS Finance Department, leaving out the entire amount received from the dealer.

Further allegations suggest that on Sunday, February 9, the female officer returned to a local scrap metal dealer and unlawfully sold additional copper without authorisation, receiving an undisclosed amount of cash that was never deposited.

A case was opened and transferred to the Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for further investigations. Subsequent investigations were conducted leading to the two police officers being charged with theft. Police investigations remain ongoing.