Police colonel busted for drug trafficking and corruption
SOPHIATOWN – A 51-year-old colonel and four other suspects were arrested in connection with drug trafficking.
According to a report released on 12 October from National Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo five people were arrested on suspicion of drug dealing including a 51-year-old colonel from the Sophiatown Police Station.
Naidoo stated that the men are suspected of “being part of a drug-trafficking syndicate operating in and around the Johannesburg area.” The arrests were made as part of an operation between the South African Police Service (SAPS) units including the Hawks. He stated, “The 51-year-old colonel was arrested just after he reported for duty at Sophiatown Police Station this morning. The other four suspected drug dealers aged between 29 and 63 were arrested in [the] Westbury, Newclare and Riverlea areas of Johannesburg.”
The senior police officer, who was in charge of visible policing operations at Sophiatown Police Station, allegedly had a corrupt relationship with the other suspects. Naidoo stated “Intelligence and Investigations revealed that he was helping the suspected drug dealers betray their clients and evade police arrest. It is alleged that after a client purchased drugs from the suspects, they would give the police officer a tip-off. The police officer would then organise a raid on the clients, seize the drugs but free the clients in exchange for a bribe. The drugs would then be taken back to the suspected drug lords who would also pay the police officer a
bribe for returning the loot of drugs. The alleged criminal activities took place in Johannesburg areas, including Eldorado Park, Westbury, Newclare and Riverlea.”
The National Commissioner of Police, General Riah Phiyega said, “As much as it is appalling that a senior officer of our organisation is alleged to be involved in such horrendous deeds, I am ecstatic that our people were able to identify him and others and bring them to account”, said Gen Phiyega.
James Lorimer, DA Constituency MP for Linden/Sophiatown, criticised SAPS for their conduct prior to the arrest. “News of the arrest of a police colonel suspected of collusion with drug dealers at the Sophiatown Police Station, casts doubt on the credibility of policing in the area and on the recent assurances of Gauteng Safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi Malobane,” stated Lorimer, “The management of the Sophiatown Police Station and the MEC held a public meeting on crime in Westbury less than a week ago. At that meeting the community was assured that there was no evidence that police were colluding with drug dealers as had been alleged by members of the community.”
The five suspects are expected to appear in the Johannesburg and Roodepoort Magistrates’ courts. A date has not yet been released. SAPS believes that more arrests are imminent.
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