16/11/2024
MEDIA STATEMENT
DIRECTORATE FOR PRIORITY CRIME INVESTIGATION
(HAWKS)
15 NOVEMBER 2024
FOUR MPUMALANGA POLICE OFFICERS APPREHENDED FOR MORE THAN R1MILLION THEFT OF MONEY AND DEFEATING THE ENDS OF JUSTICE
MPUMALANGA : Four police officials, three males and a female, are expected to appear before the Nelspruit Magistrates court today Friday; 15 November 2024 for theft and defeating the ends of justice.
Their appearance follows after they were arrested during a joint operation by the Hawks Nelspruit based Serious Corruption Investigation, Serious Organised Crime Investigation, and Mpumalanga Crime Intelligence on Thursday, 14 November 2024 in Barberton Mpumalanga
It is alleged that on Thursday, 14 November 2024, four police officers from Barberton detectives went to a Zama Zama paymasters' house where they conducted a search.
During the search, they found an amount of R1800 000 (R1million eight hundred thousand rand) stashed inside a bag in a wardrobe which they allegedly took. It is reported that the son of the paymaster who was at home, was taken to the police station where they locked him in the police cells without booking in the R1800 000 in the SAPS 13 neither registering any case docket.
It was further alleged that the police drove away with the cash, leaving the son of the paymaster in the police cells for five hours.
Later, Crime Intelligence was summoned to the police station. On their arrival , they phoned the police officers to come back to the police station. Upon their return, they produced the amount of R200 000 which they alleged was found at the paymasters' house.
The complainant, who is the son of the paymaster, opened a case of theft of cash against the four police officials.
The four police members were arrested, charged, and detained at the Nelspruit police cells.
The police officers are expected to appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate Court on Friday, 15 November 2024
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Ge**er welcomed the swift response by the team in arresting their own non-compliant and corrupt officials.
He further said that "as the Hawks, we shall investigate and bring all perpetrators of crime to book without fear or favor.
The General concluded by warning all members to refrain from corrupt activities.
Enquiries: Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi
071 481 3493 or [email protected]
