By Buziwe Nocuze
A 51-year-old warrant officer has been arrested and will appear in court for corruption.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said initial investigations suggest that on 12 March this year, a warrant officer stationed at Vredenburg Detective Service asked a suspect in a criminal case to meet him at a nearby shopping complex.
“Reports further suggest that the member requested a payment of R1,500 for his efforts to ensure that the case of driving under the influence of alcohol will be withdrawn,” said Swartbooi.
The alleged incident was reported and eventually transferred to the Western Cape Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for further investigation.
The police officer will appear in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on a charge of corruption, said Swartbooi.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, has issued a stern warning against corruption within the ranks of police officers in the Western Cape and made it clear that SAPS remains committed to a zero-tolerance approach in this regard.
Luyolo Sinto, a 35-year-old resident, is happy that the officer was reported.
“The corrupt officers are making the job of hardworking officers difficult. I am happy that he was reported and arrested. I hope that he will get a harsher sentence to send a message to other corrupt officers,” said Sinto.
A resident speaking anonymously believes that it was not the first time that the officer asked for a bribe.
“He must be investigated; I believe that he was doing something that he has been doing for a long time. It is just a pity that he met someone who doesn’t like corrupt officers; he must rot in jail,” said the resident.
SAPS has encouraged the public to report any corrupt activities involving its members on the Anti-Corruption Hotline at 0800 701 701, or Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or using the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.
Pictured above: Police van.
Source: File
