Twelve members of law enforcement, including a reservist, were arrested in three separate incidents on 18 and 19 April for their alleged involvement in the violation of National Disaster Management Regulations as well as corruption.
A statement released by the South African Police Service said, “In the first incident, five members including a police reservist attached to the Namahadi Police Station in the Free State were arrested after they were allegedly part of a group drinking alcohol at a local tavern on 18 April. They initially escaped as members were about to pounce on them.”
READ MORE: Mpumalanga anti-corruption unit arrests Gauteng cops
However, five people were arrested a day later when they reported for duty. “Pictures of the members being arrested went viral, a moment that SAPS management is not proud of, but the arrest was indeed a necessary course of action.”
The 44-year-old tavern owner was also arrested on the same day for allegedly violating the regulations on the prohibition of the sale of liquor. All liquor was seized and the tavern shut down. The police officials will be charged with defeating the ends of justice and failing to enforce and adhere to the lockdown regulations.
In the second incident, six members attached to the Brooklyn and Silverton Police Stations in Pretoria were arrested on 18 April. The Mpumalanga Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit received information that the officers had allegedly stolen over R30 000 in cash from a group of people passing through a roadblock.
“According to reports, members initially demanded a bribe of R100 after realising that the driver of a sedan and two passengers were not in possession of the required documentation. The money was allegedly stolen after the sedan was searched at the roadblock.”
All six officers were arrested after they were found in possession of the money and they are being detained at a local police station.
In the third incident, a member was detained after he held a gathering at the police barracks in Soshanguve. “While all members face criminal charges, internal departmental processes within the service will follow.
“While these incidents are disappointing, it must be noted that these are isolated incidents. The arrest of these police officers is indicative of the SAPS commitment in the fight against this pandemic.”
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Khehla John Sitole has applauded the hard work and zeal shown by the men and women in blue throughout the country.
“The arrest of our own is both disheartening and at the same time pleasing in a sense that it shows that the SAPS remains unbiased as well as that it has the capacity and the capability to decisively deal with criminality within its ranks,” said General Sitole.
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