By Everson Luhanga
- A Hawks operation went wrong when officers booked only part of the R900,000 cash found at a foreign exchange shop.
- All six suspects, including four officers, were caught with stolen cash in their cars and face charges of theft and corruption.
Four elite police officers known as the Hawks and two civilians have been arrested for allegedly stealing R900,000 during a supposed operation at a foreign exchange shop in Johannesburg.
The Hawks officers and Gauteng provincial police officials were caught after the shop owner raised the alarm.
Captain Letlhogonolo Molatlhegi, Warrant Officer Mabutho Masina, Constables Mpho Netshivhera and Constable Nhlamulo Matsilela were arrested alongside Simon Rakuba and Lebogang Tseto.
The officers claimed they were carrying out a legal operation when they entered the shop. But instead of seizing all the cash, they only booked US$60,000 and R130,000 into the South African Police Service register.
The shop owner was away when the raid happened. His workers called to inform him about the police visit, but the call was suddenly cut off. When he arrived, he found the shop closed and most of the money gone.
Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo said one of the suspects at the shop tried to bribe the officers with R60,000. That amount was also recorded.
After following leads, the Hawks tracked down the suspects to Newtown, where they found them sitting in cars. A search uncovered a large amount of hidden cash.
All six suspects appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on 2 July. They face charges of theft, corruption, extortion and possession of suspected stolen money. They remain in custody until 4 July.
This is just the latest case of corruption involving top police officers.
Last week, Lieutenant General Khumalo from crime intelligence was arrested for allegedly stealing from a secret fund and hiring unqualified people. He was arrested with six other senior officers.
General Lushaba was also arrested recently.
Ian Cameron, who heads Parliament’s police committee, said all arrested police officers should be suspended while investigations continue.
He said justice needed to be seen to be done and warned that rogue officers were weakening the fight against crime.
Cameron warned that the problem runs deeper within the service. He said other officers charged with serious crimes were still working.
Pictured above: The Hawks.
Image source: File
