POLOKWANE – Two police officers are expected to appear in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court today (April 14) after they were allegedly caught stealing boxes of illegal cigarettes meant to be used as evidence.

Members of the Mankweng Crime Prevention were conducting visible policing along the R71 on Friday when they spotted a suspicious luxury white sedan. When they tried to stop the vehicle, it sped off, prompting a chase.

Police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said the car was later found abandoned in Ga-Magoa village, with no sign of the occupants.

“While busy searching, a large quantity of cigarette boxes were found and the vehicle was towed to the Mankweng Police Station to be kept as exhibit together with cigarettes. While offloading these cigarettes, two SAPS members were spotted taking some of them to a private vehicle. The matter was reported and a search was conducted,” Ledwaba said.

A search of the officers’ vehicles led to the discovery of several cigarette boxes and a 55-year-old warrant officer and a 41-year-old sergeant were arrested and charged with theft and corruption.

The provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, welcomed the arrests and vowed to intensify efforts to root out corruption within SAPS.

“We will stop at nothing to root out corruption within the ranks of law enforcement. The law must take its course without fear or favour,” she said.