The accused, Sgts Johannes Thakhisi, 45, Ntombeko Seya, 44, Mpho Molatedi, 39, Nhlanhla Sithole, 42, and Tlokotsi Kgany, 36, made their first appearance in the same court on Tuesday (7/7). The officers attached to the Vanderbijlpark task team allegedly demanded a R100,000 bribe from a local business owner in exchange for not arresting him in 2024. 

On the day, the five officers conducted a raid at a local business, Oreo Supermarket, under the pretext of searching for illicit cigarettes.

“The officers allegedly demanded a R100,000 bribe from the business owner to avoid an arrest,” said Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Lt. Col. Granville Meyer. “Following negotiations involving a third party, the demanded amount was reduced to R25,000.

“The complainant secretly blew the whistle by contacting the Hawks’ Vaal Serious Corruption Investigation Unit. An application for an undercover sting operation was immediately authorised.

“Despite the suspects not catching the bait and not collecting the cash on the day due to operational delays, the investigation continued rigorously.”

Further reports of threats and intimidation against the complainant were added to the case file. Upon completion of the investigation, the case docket was submitted to the Hawks, who authorised the criminal prosecution, he said.

Meanwhile, a former crime intelligence constable in the Free State will spend five years behind bars after being found guilty on two counts of corruption.

Sibongile Makoli was arrested during an entrapment operation by the police’s anti-corruption unit on 26 January 2021. She attempted to extort money from a foreign national who was found without a valid passport.

Instead of executing a lawful arrest, the constable demanded a bribe of R1,000. The complainant handed over R200 and agreed to pay the balance later, said Free State police spokesperson Sgt Mahlomola Kareli.

The Free State anti-corruption unit was alerted to the extortion attempt and immediately set up a sting operation. A corruption case was opened at Kagisanong police station, and Makoli was arrested after allegedly accepting the remaining R800 trap money from the complainant.

On Monday, 22 June, the Bloemfontein Regional Court found Makoli guilty and sentenced her to 60 months correctional supervision and five years direct imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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