Former cop sentenced for theft
After offering to act as a mediator, he robbed two men of their compensation money.
LIMPOPO – A 43-year-old former police officer from Tzaneen was convicted of theft by the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 4 August.
Mohale Aubrey Matswi was arrested for the theft of money which was meant as compensation between two parties following an assault incident in March 2019.
Spokesperson for the Hawks, Capt Matimba Malaleke says Matswi had approached two men who had been charged for the assault of two petrol attendants.
“He offered to mediate between the two parties and it was agreed that the victims would be paid a once-off amount of R10 000 compensation fee in order for them to drop the charges.”
Maluleke explained that the money was paid to Matswi to hand over to the victims, however, he paid them only R7 000 and kept R3 000 for himself.
“The matter was reported to the Hawks and a warrant of arrest was issued.”
Matswi was arrested on a charge of theft on Wednesday, 31 July 2019.
He was later released on bail and finally on Tuesday, 4 August was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, half of which is suspended for five years, or a R2 000 fine.
The court also ordered him to pay back the R3 000 to the complainants by the end of September 2020, Maluleke concluded.
