Three local police officials arrested for alleged corruption
Things took a turn when the business owner and his employees were released on the premise that the confiscated drugs had gone missing
Shockwaves are still lingering within the hallways of Witbank SAPS after three local police officers were arrested.
The three police officials from Witbank SAPS are part of a group of six suspects that were arrested on a charge of suspected corruption.
The first arrest on December 20, 2019 saw a community policing forum member Mr Saint Manyakalala (51) and former police officer Mr Karolus Pienaar (49) from Gauteng meet the long arm of the law.
They appeared in Witbank Magistrate’s Court on the same day and were remanded in custody until January 7.
The local police officials Capt Sekgweni Phasha (52), Sgt Nonthuthuzelo Mabena (34) and Const Mellicent Mlambo (51) were arrested on January 6.
They appeared in Witbank Magistrate’s Court on January 7 and the same bail was granted to them.
Const Charles Motshele Mogoba from Germiston SAPS was added to the list when he was arrested on January 7.
He appeared in court on January 8 and was also granted bail of R2 000.
The case was postponed to March 4.
The arrest by the Mpumalanga Anti Corruption Unit follows an incident that occurred on August 29 when the six suspects entered a furniture and electronics shop in the central business area.
“Reports allege that three of the suspects were dressed in police uniform and the other four were wearing civilian clothes. These suspects informed the owner of the business that they are searching the shop and they are specifically looking for drugs. During the search, drugs were indeed found and were confiscated together with an amount of about R86 000 cash,” said provincial police spokesperson Brig Leonard Hlathi.
Brig Hlathi said the business owner, Mr Awias Ahmed, and two of his employees were arrested and taken to Witbank Police Station for detention.
Things took a turn when the business owner and his employees were released on the premise that the confiscated drugs had gone missing at.
Of the R86 000 he was only given back R36 000.
Ahmed immediately acted and because of his quick response, the matter was taken up.
The Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga Lt Gen Mondi Zuma had harsh words to say about police officials engaging in criminal activities, “We will not allow criminality within our ranks which has the potential to dent the image of other upstanding officers who are working hard to root out crime and corruption. We will arrest anyone who commits a crime and engages in corrupt activities without fear or favour, even if it means arresting our own.” Ahmed was not available for comment.
