LIMPOPO – The integrity of South African Police Service members is expected to be beyond reproach. However, there are members like former SAPS-Polokwane cashier Kgomotso Yvonne Mashala (35) whose integrity is compromised. Mashala was convicted on two counts of theft and sentenced by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes court on Monday, 30 May 2022.

Between 19 January 2018 and 7 February 2018, Mashala was working at Polokwane police station as a cashier responsible for receiving and depositing the state money into the state bank account.

The auditors conducted an audit and it was revealed that an amount of R264 729-60 was missing and unaccounted for during the period Mashala was still a cashier. The money was stolen on different dates. The matter was referred to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation for further probe.

After a thorough investigation by the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority issued the summons against Mashala to appear in court on 31 August 2018 and she was duly served.

Mashala was out on bail until she was sentenced. On count 1 she was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment wholly suspended on condition that she repays R183 727-70, while on count 2 she was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment or R5000-00 fine also wholly suspended on condition that she repays an amount of R81 001-90. The total amount to be repaid is R264 729-60.

Source: South African Police Service