A 34-year-old Nelspruit police detective, who was arrested in June, appeared in court this week after he allegedly demanded money from someone he arrested to keep his colleagues as well as a magistrate from pursuing a criminal matter.

The Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, says the matter against Constable Innocent Macibelo was heard in the Nelspruit Magitsrate’s Court and was postponed until the end of August for a regional court date.

Macibelo was arrested by the Nelspruit-based Hawks on June 8 for alleged corruption. A Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Thandi Tshabalala, says that Macibelo was in the police service for seven years at the time of his arrest.

Macibelo allegedly arrested a man, named only ‘Mashele’ by police, on charges relating to domestic violence on November 25 last year.

According to police Mashele left his hunting rifle at a friend’s house just before he was arrested.

It is alleged that Macibelo rushed to the friend’s house, as soon as he heard about the rifle, and told the man he was arresting him for the possession of an unlicensed firearm.

He then allegedly took the man back to the station where he took down his statement before demanding R500 from the man, telling him he would give the money to his colleagues to keep them from speaking about the incident.

It is alleged that the man gave the R500 to Macibelo, however, the constable later called him again demanding R3 000 to keep the court magistrate from charging him.

Tshabalala says it is alleged that the man transferred R1 000 to Macibelo, but the officer continued to call him requesting the remaining R2 000. The man then decided to report the incident.

Macibelo was arrested following an investigation into the matter.

Tshabalala said Macibelo first appeared in court on June 8 and was released on bail.