Mokopane police sergeant jailed for corruption
Caught in a sting operation after soliciting a bribe from a complainant, a Limpopo cop now faces five years behind bars.
A Mokopane police sergeant has been sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment after being found guilty of corruption by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, reports Polokwane Review.
Sergeant Naponel Lucas Macheke (42), who was attached to the visible policing unit at Mokopane Police Station, was sentenced yesterday (June 2). The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act.
Background to the case
According to information presented in court, the case stems from an incident in August 2022 involving a dispute between a complainant and one of his employees. The employee subsequently opened an assault case.
Alleged demand for money
The court heard that after police attended to the complaint and arranged medical treatment for the employee, the complainant received a call from a person identifying himself as an officer from the Mokopane police.
The complainant was instructed to report to the police station.
Upon arriving at the station, Macheke allegedly demanded R2 000 from the complainant, claiming that a portion of the money was intended for police officers and the remainder for the employee.
The complainant indicated that he did not have the money at the time and was allegedly instructed to make contact once he had secured the funds.
Investigation launched
The matter was later reported to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit, which launched an investigation.
A trap operation was conducted in Mokopane on August 29, 2022. During the operation, the complainant handed over R500 to Macheke, after which he was arrested. The money was recovered and seized as evidence.
Court proceedings and sentencing
Macheke was granted bail of R2 000 and appeared in court on several occasions before his conviction and sentencing.
Rooting out corruption
Limpopo provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe welcomed the outcome.
“We remain committed to rooting out corruption and ensuring that members who betray the trust bestowed upon them by the communities they serve are held accountable,” Hadebe said.
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