Two KZN police sergeants will today appear in the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court on charges of extortion after allegedly targeting illegal shebeen operators and illicit cigarette sellers in Amaoti, north of Durban.

The Witness reports that the officers, one stationed at Inanda Police Station and the other at the court, were arrested on Friday by members of the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit.

According to KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the pair allegedly demanded money from victims in exchange for not arresting them.

“For several months, the two suspects would allegedly approach the victims, present themselves as police officers and produce authentic police identification cards and firearms before demanding money from the victims in exchange for not arresting them,” says Netshiunda.

The matter escalated on January 14 when members of the Amaoti community apprehended the two officers, disarmed them and took them to the Amaoti Satellite Police Station.

However, when community members later went to Inanda station to open cases, they were allegedly told there was no record of the incident and that the two officers had not been brought in.

“The Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit members took over the investigation, which led to the arrest of the two sergeants on Friday,” Netshiunda says.

The suspects are expected to appear on four counts of extortion.

Netshiunda says additional charges could follow as more victims come forward.

A separate investigation for defeating the ends of justice is at an advanced stage against police officers who allegedly failed to open a case and assisted the suspects in leaving the Amaoti Satellite Police Station.

Provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi says internal accountability is critical.

“There are a few individuals who are tarnishing the name of the police, and we must deal with them from within and get rid of them,” Mkhwanazi says.

“We cannot have police officers who are in cahoots with criminals, and those who are found to be involved in any form of criminal activities must be arrested and face internal disciplinary sanctions.”

He thanks the Amaoti community for not taking the law into their own hands and apologises for the conduct of the officers involved.

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