By Everson Luhanga
- Two officers were arrested and face kidnapping and extortion charges. They will apply for bail in court on 14 August 2024.
- One fired officer is the son of a top police boss. But even family ties could not save him from being fired.
Two Gauteng police officers have been fired after they kidnapped a man and handed him over to a gang of criminals demanding a ransom.
Constables Thabiso Pule, Paul Molefe, 32, and Paseka Makena, 33, were part of the Highway Patrol Unit in Springs. They allegedly took a man they accused of illegal mining and handed him to a group of Basotho nationals.
The gang demanded R2-million for the man’s release. That figure dropped to R150,000, and finally to R20,000.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate arrested both officers. They are charged with kidnapping and extortion. Their case was postponed to 14 August 2024 for a formal bail hearing.
Molefe is the son of former Ekurhuleni District Commissioner, Major General Zodwa Molefe. But that did not protect him. After a disciplinary hearing, both he and Makena were found guilty and dismissed. The decision is now awaiting final sign-off by the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner.
Ian Cameron, chairperson of Parliament’s police portfolio committee, said the dismissals were a welcome move in the fight to clean up the South African Police Service.
“The public demands accountability. We need police officers who earn the trust of law-abiding South Africans,” he said.
But Cameron warned that the problem runs deeper. He said other officers charged with serious crimes were still working.
He listed several cases, including a Belhar detective arrested for cocaine possession, a Kuilsriver constable out on bail for rape, a Lentegeur warrant officer who sold police dockets, and a Cape Town court orderly caught with more than 900 mandrax tablets.
“These officers pose a danger to public trust and the entire justice system,” he said.
Cameron is calling for the urgent use of Section 34 boards to remove criminal officers from duty.
“Accountability must not be optional. If police leaders are serious, they must act now.”
Pictured above: Constables Pule Molefe and Paseka Makena were arrested for kidnapping and extortion.
Image source: Supplied
