The Pretoria specialised commercial crimes court has sentenced three police officers to four years in prison for corruption.
Johannes Tebogo Mpete (39), Lesiba Richard Mapela (43) and Matsobane Victor Kwanaite (41) were convicted for soliciting a R3 000 bribe from a motorist.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the officers stopped a motorist during a stop-and-search operation in Mabopane on February 14, 2016.
“While searching the car, the officers found a white powdery substance and requested the complainant pay an amount of R5 000, to avoid arrest.”
Mahanjana said the complainant was driven to the Marula shopping centre, where he withdrew and handed over an amount of R3 000.
“Officer Kwanaite then gave the complainant his number so they could stay in contact till the remaining balance is settled.”
The complainant reported the matter and after investigation, all three police officers were arrested at their place of employment in 2021.
According to Mahanjana, the accused officials had pleaded not guilty.
“Mpete asked the court to hand him a wholly suspended sentence, while Mapela and Kwanaite asked for correctional supervision.”
However, in aggravation of sentence, state prosecutor Advocate Willem van Zyl told the court that for the fact that they are police officers, they had the responsibility to uphold the law and not break it.
“Their actions were not on the spur of the moment but planned,” said Van Zyl.
He added that they had ample time to reconsider, but did not. Therefore, he asked the court to impose a sentence of direct imprisonment.
In delivering his sentence, the magistrate said that this was a serious offence and that there was an outcry in society about the crime of corruption.
He said that the carelessness of their conduct reflects that they harbour no appreciation for the responsibilities that are bestowed on them as police officers.
“They dishonoured what a police officer should stand for in society,” stated the magistrate.
He added that due to the incident, the complainant has been traumatised and lives in utter fear and lost all trust in the police.
Mahanjana said the sentence sends a strong message that corruption by law enforcement officers will not be tolerated.
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