Top cops arrested on allegations of trafficking appear in court

VEREENIGING. – Sebokeng station commander, Brigadier Selikoe Esau Mokoena (57) and Sedibeng FCS investigator, Captain Mbuti Richard Foli (57) appeared in the Vereeniging Magistrates Court on Friday on charges of human trafficking and defeating the end of justice.

The two were arrested on Thursday by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit in Vereeniging following a tip-off.

Police  spokesperson Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu says, “It is alleged that between January and November 2020, the suspects visited an identified illegal brothel in Vereeniging where one of the victims was allegedly reported missing and held hostage for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

“They allegedly forced themselves on the victim and raped her on numerous occasions and paid money to the brothel owner.” Further investigation revealed that after the victim escaped from the brothel, she reported the matter at the police station and was allegedly forced by one of the suspects to open a staged rape case against a family member in order to divert the investigation focus. “

A multi-disciplinary approach driven operation was conducted in Vereeniging with the assistance of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) Provincial and National Trafficking in Persons’ Team, Tactical Response Team, and Crime Scene Investigation where warrants of arrest were executed against the two police officers.”

The DPCI Acting Provincial Head, Brigadier Wendy Mashwabane welcomed the arrest of the two police officers with disappointment. Mashwabane applauded the investigation team on their good efforts in responding to information which culminated in the arrest.

“Human trafficking is an evil form of modern day slavery, a network that preys on the vulnerability of fellow human beings for self-enrichment. The DPCI is committed to tackling this scourge in collaboration with our partners in government and civil society.”

Maluma states that this is an on-going investigation into trafficking in persons’ syndicate in the province where a medical Doctor, Magnus Adelani Osinowo (31) and his accomplice, Ikechukwu Ononzawa (32) were also arrested last month and remanded in custody for allegedly conducting illegal abortions on victims and illegally sedating them.

Mulamu says the policemen will remain in custody untill next Tuesday, 18 May where they will be joining their co-accused, Dr Magnus Adelani Osinowo (31) and Ikwechukwu Onozowa (32) for their bail application date to be set.