LIMPOPO – A 38-year-old detective commander from the Driekop Police Station and a 32-year-old female accomplice were arrested on Friday 26 April by the Hawks’ serious corruption investigation team, after allegedly conspiring to extort R15 000 from the accomplice’s boyfriend.

In a statement released by the Limpopo Hawks, spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke explained that the boyfriend of the accomplice is the complainant in this matter and claims he was summoned to the police station by the detective.

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“On arrival, the detective, in the company of his girlfriend, accused him of rape. He claimed he was informed that a case was already opened against him by his girlfriend but that he should pay R15 000 to make it disappear,” the statement read.

After allegedly paying R4 000 on the spot and promising to pay the rest later the same day, the matter was immediately reported to the Hawks who conducted a sting operation, which led to the arrest of the girlfriend immediately after she received the remaining money from her boyfriend.

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Thobeka Jozi has expressed her disappointment by the conduct of the officer.

“It is better to have one honest and loyal police officer than to have troops of corrupt police officers. It is high time the community learns that police stations are there to attend to their safety and security needs and not gambling institutions,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Hawks are appealing to anyone who has fallen victim to the same blackmail at the Driekop police station to come forward as it is believed that the alleged corrupt practice has been happening for a while.

raeesak@nmgroup.co.za