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Polokwane - A police officer and his friend were arrested after they allegedly helped smuggle a stolen government vehicle.
Hawks provincial spokesperson Matimba Maluleke said anti-corruption unit members arrested police Constable Mahlatse Phillip Tselana, 30, attached to Grobler's Bridge border post, and his friend Lesley Malose Molele, 31.
The duo was arrested on Saturday after almost three months of investigation.
They were charged for corruption.
"Intelligence revealed that Tselana demanded a bribe from Mozambican nationals in June 2016 in order to allow them to cross the border with a stolen car," said Maluleke.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the car was stolen from the department of agriculture in the North West province.
"The victims managed to pay R5 000 on the spot to the constable and promised to pay an outstanding R16 000 so that their car can be released," said Maluleke.
It is alleged that the outstanding bribe was paid to Tselane's friend's account.
"Tselane gave the bank account of his friend, Molele, to the victims and the outstanding R16 000 was deposited into that account."
The suspects appeared in Phalala Magistrate's Court on Monday.
They were remanded in custody until September 6, 2016 for a formal bail application.
