Moyahabo Mabeba
LIMPOPO -Two female police officers attached to the Seshego Police Station stand accused of accepting a bribe of R1 500 each by their colleague who was facing a rape charge at the same police station.
Constables Mmametse Sofia Legodi and Nthabiseng Agnes Mokobane, who were attached to the station’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit (FCS), were investigating the rape case when they were allegedly bribed by the accused (a priest at the Zion Christian Church’ Saint Engenas congregation) to make the docket disappear two years ago.
According to police watchdog the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the accused raped one of his church members during a prayer session.
The victim (24) pressed charges against the police officer-cum-priest.
Statement from IPID
‘The officers went to the victim’s home without notifying her where they made her to sign a withdrawal statement. A meeting was arranged between the victim and the accused where the latter attempted to bribe the victim with R50 000 to drop the charges. The victim refused.
‘The directorate became aware of the matter and charged Legodi and Mokobane criminally,” said Grace Langa, national spokesperson for the IPID.
Legodi and Mokobane will appear in court on 30 September.
“We recommended internal disciplinary actions and they have already been removed from handling sexual offence and child cases.”
“We would like to call on all victims of rape whose cases withdrawn under the investigation of the two officers to report to the Seshego police station,” concluded Langa.
WO Mothemane Malefo, spokesperson for the Seshego police, said the officers remain in service.
The suspected rapist has reportedly since resigned from the police service after being charged with rape.
He is expected to appear in court on 29 September.
