Police and prosecutor trio in Pretoria court for corruption, extortion
The three suspects were arrested earlier this week after a trap was set for them.
A prosecutor stationed at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit and two police officers stationed at Wierdaburg police station are facing two counts of extortion of R100 000 and R300 000 and two counts of corruption of R100 000 and R300 000.
The trio appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court for their bail application yesterday.
National Prosecuting Authority Regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana alleges that Advocate Avinash Ramapararart (45), Sergeant Herman Mnguni (46) and Constable Abdul Haig Shaik (35) extorted money from a businessman who is the complainant in the matter against them.
Mahanjana said the businessman was arrested and charged with fraud on June 28.
“After his arrest, it is alleged that Ramapararat and Shaik requested the businessman to pay them R300 000 in exchange for his release.
“The businessman called his business partner who subsequently paid them,” said Mahanjana.
[A PROSECUTOR AND TWO POLICE OFFICIALS APPEAR IN COURT FOR ALLEGED CORRUPTION AND EXTORTION CHARGES]
A Prosecutor attached to the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU), Advocate Avinash Ramapararat (45) and two police officials stationed at Wierdabrurg Police… pic.twitter.com/foCZtTk3ED
— Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (@RSA_JCPS) November 1, 2024
The matter was reported to the police after the businessman was asked for more money after his release.
Investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Investigations Unit ensued, and a trap was set, where the complainant paid R100 000 to Mnguni.
The two police officers were arrested on Monday and Tuesday whereafter the prosecutor was arrested on Thursday.
The trio was remanded in custody while the matter was postponed to Monday for bail judgement.
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