Polokwane – Two sergeants from the Stock-Theft Unit in Polokwane have been arrested on Friday, 22 December 2023, by the SAPS Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit. They are charged with stealing exhibits of stolen livestock and defeating the ends of justice.
According to South African Police Service, intelligence information led to the discovery of the theft from the Stock-Theft Unit storage facility in Polokwane. The theft of a cattle carcass reportedly occurred on Wednesday, 13 December 2023. Following the operationalization of this intelligence, a male and female sergeant, aged 38 and 42 respectively, were found to have stolen a carcass from the exhibit storage facility.
The suspects are now facing charges of theft and defeating the ends of justice. The police are continuing their investigation to understand the full extent of the breach at the storage facility. The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, commended the work of the Anti-Corruption Unit. “I applaud the team for rooting out corrupt elements within our ranks,” Lieutenant General Hadebe stated, emphasizing the detrimental impact of corruption on community safety and the integrity of the police force.
Lieutenant General Hadebe also highlighted the irony of the situation, where police officers tasked with addressing stock theft in the province were themselves involved in stealing evidence, thus undermining the justice system. She affirmed that the law must be enforced impartially.
The two sergeants are scheduled to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 27 December 2023.