LIMPOPO – A 39-year-old Sergeant attached to the Phalaborwa Police Station has been suspended for supplying liquor and dagga to inmates.

The incident happened at the holding cells on New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2021), according to a statement by police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.

He explained that the inmates reportedly became intoxicated after consuming the substances.

“They started assaulting and raping other inmates in the cells. Six counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and two counts of rape were opened,” Mojapelo added.

He said two inmates aged 23 and 39, one in custody for murder and the other for robbery, were subsequently arrested and charged.

“The inmates have appeared in the Phalaborwa Magistrate’s Court on Friday (January 7) to face six counts of assault and two counts of rape. Their cases were postponed to January 18,” Mojapelo concluded.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has assured the public that police holding cells are managed in “accordance with existing internal policies and that what happened at Phalaborwa Police Station was an isolated incident”.

She said the matter is being dealt with internally “to ensure that decisive and appropriate sanction is ultimately meted against the said member”.