POTCHEFSTROOM – North MWest Police Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended the Head Office and Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Units for the swift response that resulted in the arrest of a 39-year-old Sergeant Kopano Thamage on Wednesday, 1 September 2021, for corruption.

The accused was arrested in Hartbeespoortdam after collecting money from a member of the community. It is alleged that a case of drunken driving was registered in June this year at Hartbeespoortdam police station and allocated to Sergeant Thamage for investigation. According to the report, the member demanded R7000.00 from the accused in exchange for withdrawal or disappearance of the case docket. However the accused reported the matter to the police. Consequently, the Anti-Corruption Investigation unit members apprehended Thamage soon after collecting cash amounting to R7000.00 from the drunken driving case accused. The said money was found in the possession of the member who is attached to the Hartbeespoortdam Detectives.

The accused was granted R1500.00 bail upon appearance before the Brits Magistrates’ court on Thursday, 2 September 2021. He is expected to reappear in court on Friday, 29 October 2021.

Lieutenant General Sello Kwena has once more cautioned South African Police Service (SAPS) employees in the province that corruption and any act of criminality cannot be tolerated and that those who misuse the powers conferred upon them as a law enforcement officers, will be exposed and brought to book.

Source: South African Police Service