Thirteen law enforcement officers have been arrested in Gauteng in two separate corruption-related operations, with nine expected to appear in court today.

According to The Witness, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) confirmed the arrests yesterday, saying the suspects face charges including corruption, extortion and trespassing.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said nine officers were arrested in the early hours of yesterday following an alleged extortion incident at a warehouse in Crown Mines, Johannesburg.

“A complaint was received on Wednesday that three suspects, accompanied by six metro police officers, arrived at a warehouse in Crown Mines claiming they intended to conduct a search,” said Mogale.

Alleged demand for payment

Upon searching, they found a box of colour hair dye, and one of the officers indicated that it had expired and allegedly threatened the complainant with arrest unless he paid money.

Mogale said the complainant alerted the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit, which responded to the scene and arrested all nine suspects.

Officers acted outside jurisdiction

“A preliminary investigation revealed that the police officers conducted a search in an area outside their jurisdiction. It was also discovered that four of these officers conducted a search while they were off duty,” she said.

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