On Thursday, a police Warrant Officer is scheduled to appear in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court in the Western Cape, facing corruption charges.
The police official, who has been with the SAPS for 30 years, was arrested on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into corruption accusations.
“Initial investigation suggests that on March 12, 2024, the Warrant Officer stationed at Vredenburg Detective Services requested a suspect in a criminal case to meet him at a nearby shopping complex. Reports further suggested 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requested a payment of R1,500 for his efforts to ensure that the case of driving under the influence of alcohol will be withdrawn.
“The conduct of the police officer was reported and eventually transferred to the Western Cape Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for further investigation,” said police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi.
Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, the Western Cape police commissioner, issued a harsh warning against corruption within police ranks in the province, emphasizing that the SAPS remains dedicated to a zero-tolerance policy in this respect.
Billy Claasen, Executive Director of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organization, hailed the police officer’s arrest.
According to Claasen, the accused cop is well-known in the neighborhood and serves as the Seniro Detective for the Vredenburg Detective Branch.
“We are of the view that while he has the right for bail, he needs to formally apply for it like any other ordinary person.
“He, as a cop should have known of better. To make dockets disappear and / or sell it to criminals is a very serious offence, and his alleged action probably has kept dangerous criminals unpunished and outside on the streets.
“This is a breakthrough in the fight against corruption within the SAPS. We are of the view that police officers need to undergo a yearly lifestyle audit to see where they get all their income from. This will also minimise corrupt action within the police,” Claasen said.