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A police detective stationed at the Heidedal Police Station in Bloemfontein has been found to be on the growing list of men and women in blue believed to be soliciting bribes following initial evidence. A 53-year-old detective who holds the rank of warrant officer (WO) was arrested by members of the Anti-Corruption unit, apparently soliciting a bribe.
Sgt. Mahlomola Kareli, provincial spokesperson for the police, said the officer, whose identity is withheld, was caught red-handed in possession of the bribery money.
He said the bribe-taking officer’s arrest became possible after reliable information had been received.
Kareli said the officer reportedly approached a suspected drug dealer, demanding money in order to make a case against the person disappear.
“The Heidedal police followed up on information on the bribery allegations after a male who was arrested and detained on drug-related charges in Heidedal informed his friend that someone wanted him to pay a bribe,” said Kareli.
He said the person had been detained in custody following his arrest on 15 February, with the officer nabbed on 19 February.
Kareli said the officer visited the suspected drug dealer, demanding a sum of money to assist him in ensuring the case did not proceed to court on 19 February.
“The officer was arrested on 19 February in a sting operation after he was found with bribery money in his possession,” said Kareli.
- Last year in August, two officers, Masixole Emsly Luyanda Nogabe (34) and Francis Lehlonoholo Sefuthi (32), were arrested for extortion.
The officers are attached to the Kagisanong Visible Policing unit in Bloemfontein and allegedly orchestrated a plan to solicit money from a male foreign national. They allegedly held him captive and demanded money for his release from a friend.
A recent survey by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released last year showed police and traffic officers top the list of bribe takers in South Africa.
