Mpumalanga SAPS vows to root out corrupt officers

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

The Mpumalanga South African Police Service (SAPS) management has raised its concerns about the high number of police officers being arrested for corruption.

This comes after the arrest of yet another police official, this time a 47-year-old warrant officer stationed at Embalenhle, who was nabbed for corruption by the Anti-corruption Unit at the weekend.

According to the preliminary investigation, the suspect solicited a bribe under false pretence by contacting a suspect in a theft case, informing the suspect that he could destroy the case docket for a fee.

The member appeared at the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a charge of corruption and was released on a warning. The matter was postponed to 6 June, pending further investigation.

This case comes on the heels of the sentencing of detective sergeant Thamsanqa Osborn Nkosi, who was stationed at Volksrust. Nkosi was given an effective six-year imprisonment on 3 May by the Amersfoort Regional Court for bribing an investigating officer in a murder case in 2016 to tamper with the case.

In another case, six police constables stationed at the Standerton Detective Branch were arrested for business robbery and have since been suspended from duty with effect from 4 May.

The constables are out on R1 000 bail each and are scheduled to reappear at the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on 12 June.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma said such cases involving the police will not be tolerated.

He reminded the officers that they are not above the law.

“Police members who are committing crime will be arrested, sentenced and sent to jail, thereby lose their jobs and their future,” said Zuma.

The Provincial Commissioner vowed that the SAPS will continue to root out rotten elements within the service.

“It is disturbing to see police officials being the ones who are perpetrating crime rather than preventing it. Police are expected to ensure that the vision of the South African Police Service for creating a safe and secure environment for all the people in South Africa is realised,” Zuma said. - SAnews.gov.za