Ngwaabe – Two Limpopo police officers are sentenced to five years imprisonment for acknowledging R1,000 in bribe from a motorist four years back.
Following the acknowledgement of the bribe in December 2017, the matter was reported to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team, who eventually arrested the police officers.
The detainees were, following the initial arrest, released on warning.
Corruption and extortion is the root of the South African government, the arrest emanating from the repugnant demeanour ofl the Limpopo police officers emerge to be the beginning of having no excuse for law-breakers.
According to the Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke, Warrant Officer Richard Matsobane Molokome, 54, and Constable Karabo Archibald Sepato, 40, were on duty performing crime prevention when they came across the victim as they searched his vehicle where some defects were discovered, and the two cops decided to ask for bribe instead of impounding his vehicle.
“On 12 December 2017, Molokome and Sepato, who were stationed at Tuinplaas police station, were performing crime prevention duties when they noticed a suspicious vehicle and it was stopped. Upon searching the vehicle, some defects were discovered. Instead of issuing summons or impounding the vehicle, the two police officers demanded a R1,000 gratification,” Maluleke said.
The victim went home to get the demanded amount to have his vehicle released.
“The victim went home to fetch money and gave it to the police for the release of his vehicle”
The two cops were immediately arrested and were appeared before the court and were convicted on the 3rd of March 2021 were sentencing were expected to take place in April 2021 – they were sentenced on the 19th of April at the Mokopane Regional Court.
After being found guilty of corruption. the court imposed the sentence of five years’ imprisonment – being denied the option of fine.
