POTCHEFSTROOM – The Provincial Commissioner of North West, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena has welcomed the arrest of a police Constable and two civilians for theft.

Constable Meshack Masiza (26), Motlamedi Lekalake (24) and Jabufor Ngwa (39) were on Sunday afternoon, 19 September 2021, apprehended in Rooigrond outside Mahikeng. That was after the Constable allegedly lied to the Security Officer about him being officially on duty and entered the Vehicle Safeguarding Section (VSS) pound in Rooigrond, accompanied by two males driving in a vehicle.

The trio proceeded to an impounded vehicle, then removed a front bumper and replaced it with the one from their vehicle. They allegedly took the impounded vehicle’s bumper and fit it in their vehicle. Unbeknown to the accused, the Security Officer had already informed the police who pounced on the trio before they could leave the pound.

The accused made their first appearance at the Molopo Magistrates’ Court in Mmabatho on Tuesday, 21 September 2021. Masiza and Lekalake were granted R500.00 bail each upon second appearance on Thursday, 23 September 2021.  Meanwhile, Ngwa remains in custody pending verification of his residence status. The accused will reappear at the same court on Tuesday, 28 September 2021. Investigation into the matter continues.

The Provincial Commissioner lauded the security guard for the vigilance that led to the arrest, which he said will certainly sound a warning to all SAPS employees who are engaged in criminal activities that if caught, will have to face the consequences including internal disciplinary processes.

Source: South African Police Service