Lockdown larceny: Six cops arrested for robbing motorist of R30 000
When cops become robbers; acts of criminality condemned by SAPS National Commissioner.
by Luke Daniel
2020-04-20 09:40
in News
Image via Twitter: SA Police Service
@SAPoliceService
Six police officers, attached to the Brooklyn and Silverton stations in Pretoria, were arrested on Saturday after allegedly stealing R30 000 from a motorist whom they had stopped during a roadblock operation.
As the South African Police Service (SAPS) intensifies its approach to the nationwide lockdown and the rules, under the Disaster Management Act, which govern it, corruption within the ranks has reared its ugly head. While the country languishes under the burden of lockdown, several police officers, tasked with upholding law and order, have been arrested for exploiting the national crisis.
This past weekend, which marks the fourth under lockdown since President Cyril Ramaphosa’s first declaration in late March, proved to be a particularly grim one for SAPS. With ten days left until the lockdown’s scheduled end, police officers, in multiple provinces, find themselves behind bars for a host of transgressions.
A bad weekend for police officers
On Monday morning, the National Commissioner of SAPS, General Khehla John Sitole, issued a statement concerning the recent spate of internal arrests. While Sitole praised the majority of police officers for their “hard work and zeal”, he condemned the actions of a ‘handful’ of crooked cops.
Sitole revealed that 12 police officers had been arrested for flouting lockdown regulations and engaging in criminality. In the Free State, officers were arrested for drinking alcohol at a local tavern while still on duty. In Soshanguve, an officer was arrested for arranging a social gathering. Sitole said the slew of arrests were bittersweet, explaining:
One of the most damning incidents of police misconduct was uncovered by the Mpumalanga Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit. Acting on information of bribery and robbery, SAPS arrested six of their own on Saturday.
It’s alleged that the officers, who had been manning a roadblock between Bronkhorstspruit and Witbank, demanded a R100 bribe from a motorist who lacked the necessary travel permits. After accepting the bribe, it’s alleged that the officers in question proceeded to search the vehicle. Upon further investigation, the cops found R30 000 in cash, which they ‘confiscated’. Sitole elaborated:
When cops become robbers; acts of criminality condemned by SAPS National Commissioner.
2020-04-20 09:40
in News
Image via Twitter: SA Police Service
@SAPoliceServiceSix police officers, attached to the Brooklyn and Silverton stations in Pretoria, were arrested on Saturday after allegedly stealing R30 000 from a motorist whom they had stopped during a roadblock operation.
As the South African Police Service (SAPS) intensifies its approach to the nationwide lockdown and the rules, under the Disaster Management Act, which govern it, corruption within the ranks has reared its ugly head. While the country languishes under the burden of lockdown, several police officers, tasked with upholding law and order, have been arrested for exploiting the national crisis.
This past weekend, which marks the fourth under lockdown since President Cyril Ramaphosa’s first declaration in late March, proved to be a particularly grim one for SAPS. With ten days left until the lockdown’s scheduled end, police officers, in multiple provinces, find themselves behind bars for a host of transgressions.
A bad weekend for police officers
On Monday morning, the National Commissioner of SAPS, General Khehla John Sitole, issued a statement concerning the recent spate of internal arrests. While Sitole praised the majority of police officers for their “hard work and zeal”, he condemned the actions of a ‘handful’ of crooked cops.
Sitole revealed that 12 police officers had been arrested for flouting lockdown regulations and engaging in criminality. In the Free State, officers were arrested for drinking alcohol at a local tavern while still on duty. In Soshanguve, an officer was arrested for arranging a social gathering. Sitole said the slew of arrests were bittersweet, explaining:
Details of the roadblock robbery
One of the most damning incidents of police misconduct was uncovered by the Mpumalanga Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit. Acting on information of bribery and robbery, SAPS arrested six of their own on Saturday.
It’s alleged that the officers, who had been manning a roadblock between Bronkhorstspruit and Witbank, demanded a R100 bribe from a motorist who lacked the necessary travel permits. After accepting the bribe, it’s alleged that the officers in question proceeded to search the vehicle. Upon further investigation, the cops found R30 000 in cash, which they ‘confiscated’. Sitole elaborated:
Sitole added that, in addition to criminal charges, all arrested SAPS members would face internal disciplinary procedures.
