Police officer appears in court for alleged corruption
A 45-year-old Sergeant Thomas Moleme was granted R7000.00 bail upon appearance in the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrates’ Court today for alleged corruption. He is expected to reappear before the court on Wednesday, 27 September 2023.
Reports suggest that the member who was accompanied by a person whom he introduced as a Captain, arrested a suspect for assault in May this year. On their way to the police station, the pair demanded R1000.00 on behalf of the assault victim on condition that the latter withdraws the case. The suspect consented to the demand and gave R1000.00 to the duo.
The Sergeant and his companion further demanded R1000.00 each from the suspect. As a result, they were given R2 470.00, and they released the suspect. However, Moleme apparently kept on harassing and demanding money from the suspect. Subsequent to reporting of the matter to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit (ACIU), the member was arrested in Schweizer-Reneke on Tuesday afternoon, 29 August 2023, during an undercover operation by
the ACIU and Anti-Gang Unit.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest and subsequent appearance of the accused in court. He said that dishonesty cannot be tolerated and that any South African Police Service (SAPS) employee who acts in an unethical manner, will be brought to book to face the full might of the law.
Source: South African Police Service