POLOKWANE – Five Limpopo police officers have been arrested on allegations of corruption and defeating the ends of justice following a five-month investigation.

Five police officers were arrested at Polokwane International Airport on Monday evening in connection with allegations of corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

Deputy provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, responsible for crime detection, Maj Gen Mashaba, said the investigation had been under way for five months and followed information received from the community.

Mashaba said investigators had followed the required procedures, including engagements with the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and the National Prosecuting Authority.

Speaking at the airport alongside provincial commissioner Lt Gen Jan Scheepers, Mashaba said the police would not tolerate criminal conduct within their own ranks.

“We have zero tolerance of those committing crime, even from our ranks. These members have betrayed their oath,” he said.

Mashaba confirmed that the investigation had been completed, with no outstanding investigative work, and that the officers were expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Scheepers described the arrests as particularly disappointing, noting that many of the officers were young.

“They thought we made a joke when we said we would change the blue uniform to orange. But you cannot fight crime when you have it in your own ranks. That’s it,” he said.

Further details surrounding the allegations and the circumstances of the arrests are still emerging.