The MEC for Mpumalanga’s Community Safety, Security and Liaison department attested to the negative reflection that alleged theft within the SAPS corps has on the image of the department. Nelspruit Post previously reported that an arrest was made by the Mbombela SAPS on Friday after an SAPS officer allegedly stole a laptop from the office of the premier of Mpumalanga.
Const Promise Mashego (27) consequently appeared in the Mbombela Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was released on bail of R 1000. The trial was postponed to 28 October.
The Mbombela Police Station has confirmed that closed circuit television camera footage from the office portrayed the accused, dressed in his official SAPS uniform, taking a laptop into his possession.
The laptop in question’s estimated value amounts to R28 500.
The incident was raised on Thursday during the Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison department’s presentation of the province’s crime statistics. The MEC for the department, Mr Vusi Shongwe, mentioned that such an incident would indeed portray a negative image of the SAPS and the department, but that he was not aware thereof.
