Pretoria – Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has commended police on the arrest of nine SAPS officers and seven Home Affairs officials at the Caledon Spoort Border Post in the Free State on Tuesday.
The suspects are expected to appear at the Bethlehem Magistrate Court today.
Following the arrests, Mthethwa said efforts to rid the South African Police Service (SAPS) of unwanted and corrupt police officers are being intensified and will continue.
He warned that stern actions will be taken against any member who shames the department through their corrupt deeds.
It is alleged that the police officers stationed at the border were conniving with Home Affairs officials to conduct their illegal actions by soliciting bribes from people crossing the border from South Africa to Lesotho and vice versa.
A provincial investigation and covert operation was set up, led by the SAPS Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khehla Sithole, and after intensive investigations, the sixteen suspects were arrested and will be charged with fraud and corruption.
All seven Home Affairs officials arrested were responsible for migration duties and following their arrest, there was a delay in processing of movement at the border gate. However, arrangements are being made by Home Affairs for the replacement of the suspects to ensure that operations continue smoothly.
“We congratulate General Sithole and his team for a tremendous and successful operation. We cannot have police officers who contaminate our service when they should be discharging their duties with loyalty and dedication.
“We have emphasized to SAPS management to intensify the war on corruption. We shall ensure that we clean the SAPS and further believe that today’s arrest will send a message that tsotsi-cops have no place within SAPS,” Mthethwa said.
He reiterated that police derive their mandate from the Constitution of the Republic as well as the SAPS Code of Conduct.
“This is an excellent code however the Code of Conduct within SAPS needs to be elevated to ensure that it is being practiced, daily.
“All SAPS members need to understand and adhere to this code and they need to understand an indeed experience, the dire consequences of violating this Code of Conduct,” Mthethwa said.
The minister has further cautioned those who pay bribes to officials to refrain from such practices.
He urged officers to arrest without hesitation any person who tries to bribe them and equally urged the public to report any official who solicits bribe.
“We are aware that the majority of our members are hardworking and committed to fighting crime and as police leadership, we shall always elevate such dedication to the public,” the minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
