- A police captain attached to Kraaifontein Police Station was arrested on Wednesday 22 November on charges relating to corruption, extortion and intimidation.
- Preliminary investigation suggested the officer received a substantial payment in July 2023 from the owner of a spaza shop in the area in exchange to operate his business without interference.
- He is currently in detention and scheduled to appear in the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court on these charges on Friday 24 November.
A 55-year-old police
captain attached to Kraaifontein Police Station was arrested on Wednesday 22 November on
charges relating to corruption, extortion and intimidation.
Preliminary
investigation suggested the officer received a substantial payment in July 2023
from the owner of a spaza shop in the area in exchange to operate his business
without interference.
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It
is further alleged the officer again visited the owner during the month of
October 2023, demanding numerous payments, of which the owner paid a certain
amount to him to keep his business open.
“The
owner of the spaza shop then lodge a complaint at the Kraaifontein police, who
initiated a criminal investigation into the officer,” provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie
related. “When the officer became aware of the case against him he
went back and tried to threaten the complainant into withdrawing the criminal
case against him. This matter was also reported to the local police for being
in aggravation of the extortion case already under investigation.
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“The
matter was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions on Tuesday, and he
made a decision that the member be charged with extortion and intimidation, and
the officer was arrested on Wednesday.”
He
is currently in detention and scheduled to appear in the Blue Downs
Magistrates’ Court on these charges on Friday 24 November.
The
Provincial Police Commissioner of the Western Cape, Lieutenant General
Thembisile Patekile, issued a stern to warning to police members that concerted
efforts to fight corruption within the police will continue, with the aim to
restore the reputation and image of the South African Police Service.
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He
encourage members of the public to report all forms of corruption or extortion
to the Extortion Hotline on 0800 31 44 44, alternatively Crime Stop on 08600
10111.
