Two police officers have been arrested for corruption and defeating the ends of justice after they allegedly asked an elderly woman to pay them R500 to avoid arrest for being in possession of counterfeit clothing.
The two officers‚ aged 33 and 40‚ from Mtubatuba in northern KwaZulu-Natal‚ will appear in court on Monday. The two cops stopped a bus at Zamimpilo area along the N2 freeway near Mtubatuba on Saturday.
The bus was en route from Manguzi to Durban and when they searched it counterfeit clothing were found on an elderly woman. The two policemen allegedly asked the woman to pay them R500 to not arrest her.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane said the woman allegedly pad the cops R200 as she did not have enough cash. She was therefore not arrested and the policemen left without confiscating the counterfeit clothing.
People who witnessed the incident reported the matter to the police who responded swiftly and arrested their two colleagues.
Acting provincial commissioner Major General Bheki Langa condemned the corrupt officers‚ saying: “We will not hesitate to take stern action against those involved in corruption and who are tarnishing the image of the police.”
He said while the criminal case is being investigated‚ a parallel departmental investigation for misconduct will be carried out against the two police officers.
“Such individuals do not belong in the SAPS‚” said Langa.
TMG Digital/TimesLIVE
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