MBOMBELA – The four members of the White River Flying Squad aged between 29 and 35 arrested yersterday, November 26, in connection with soliticing a bribe from a minibus taxi, appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate Court today, November 27.
When the police officials and the owner of the counterfeit goods, a 58-year-old woman, were summoned to appear in court, the media and members of the public were asked to leave the courtroom and the matter was held in camera apparently because ID parade processes, as well as the verification of their residential addresses had not yet been finalised.
They were remanded in custody and the matter was postponed to December 2 for further investigations and possible bail application.
Police spokesperson, Col Leonard Hlathi said the police are believed to have allowed the minibus taxi which was loaded with four boxes of counterfeit All Star tekkies worth an estimated street value of R200 000, to continue with its journey.
A preliminary probe by the police indicated that the vehicle which was travelling on the N4 Highway, was stopped by the said constables just approximately 14km outside Nelspruit towards Middelburg.
“The members, who were on duty and in uniform, then searched it as a norm and in accordance with the Festive Season Operation (FSO). According to information, it is alleged that they found the illicit goods covered with blankets and questioned the three occupants, two men and a woman regarding the loot,” he said.
“It is further alleged that the woman was spotted deliberating with the police officials and subsequently handed over an undisclosed amount of cash to them,”he reported.
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