According to KwaThema spokesman, W/O David Mphali, this comes after police officers reported to management that some people were coming forward, claiming that they paid money into accounts of people who called them, claiming to be police officers and that if they were paid then they could make the cases disappear or that the suspects would get bail.
But upon getting to the station, the families discovered that these bogus police didn’t exist and officers didn’t know what they were speaking about, says Mphali.
“We have had some officers complaining that there have been families of suspects coming to the station, claiming that they received calls from people claiming to be police officers and that they must pay for cases to be wiped off so their relatives can get bail.
“One of the families who recently even paid money into the account of these bogus cops came to our detectives to enquire as to why their son was not released after they had deposited money; however, the detectives were shocked to hear such news so they informed the management of the station, hence the matter is being investigated.
“People should stop falling victim to such things and they should stop promoting corruption,” says Mphali.
He says that if families of suspects get any information, especially over the phone, they should go to the police station to verify it instead of accepting telephonic arrangements by people they don’t know.
Mphali emphasises that there are no quick fixes to dealing with cases, so community members should follow the law and the correct procedures.
He encourages people who have fallen victim to such crimes to come and open cases so that this issue can be dealt with.
