Cape Town - Two former police officers were this week sentenced to two years behind bars for corruption and fraud after demanding R100 from a taxi driver at an accident scene.
Ex-warrant officer Ezekiel Penyenye, aged 33, and reserve constable Happy Tshekedi, aged 49, were sentenced in the Rustenburg Regional Court after their arrest in 2011.
Police spokesperson Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said the pair was on patrol duties when they were involved in an accident with a taxi in Boitekong.
“They then demanded R100 from the taxi driver under the pretext that the money will be used to repair the state vehicle. The driver was then taken to the police station where an accident report was completed with false information,” Mokgwabone said.
“The taxi owner went to the police station the few days later where he met the station commander and reported the matter. It was established that the accident was not reported on time and that the information in the accident report was false.”
A docket was opened and the duo was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations’ Anti-Corruption Team.
The two were this week sentenced to two years direct imprisonment for corruption, while Tshekedi was also handed a R2 000 fine or six months imprisonment for fraud.
Acting North West provincial police commissioner, Major General Jacob Tsumane, welcomed the sentence.
“We will not hesitate to deal with our own members who are involved in corruption and other criminal activities. This will hopefully send a clear message… that no one is above the law,” he said.