Two Ventersdorp police constables, Baatile John Murambiwa (39) and Thebeethata Reginald Mandlane (44), made a brief appearance at the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s court today for corruption.
The pair were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit today.
According to Capt. Hlangelani Rikhotso, the Hawks spokesperson they were arrested following investigations into a complaint alleging that on 9 January this year, they stopped and searched a delivery van with furniture. Some of the items were apparently not listed on the inventory.
‘The officers then allegedly threatened the driver with arrest and demanded a R550 bribe. The money was subsequently deposited by the owner into one of the suspects’ account,’ said Rikhotso.
They have been granted R500 bail each. The case has been postponed to 25 April 2018.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – Maj.-Genl Linda Mbana has warned police officers to desist from abusing their authority. ‘Those who prey on innocent people will face the full might of the law,’ she said.
