Cape Town – A Mpumalanga police officer, who was reportedly trying to solicit a bribe from a mining deal, was wounded during a shootout with members of the National Anti-Corruption and Intervention Unit.
According to a police statement, the anti-corruption unit had set up an entrapment for the corrupt warrant officer who had demanded a R500 000 bribe from a civilian.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the shoot out happened on August 2.
“A suspect, aged 45 who is a member of the police, is said to have engaged in a shoot-out with other SAPS members from [the] national anti-corruption and intervention unit in Highveld Park near Witbank.
“According to the information, the shooting spiraled from an incident in which the said warrant officer allegedly solicited a bribe of R500 000 from a member of the public. It is then said that an undercover operation was set up by the alluded units,” said Mohlala.
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On the day of the incident, the warrant officer, who was a member of the SAPS’ organised crime unit, contacted the victim to finalise their deal at a coal mine, unbeknown to him that the victim had alerted the police.
“It is further said that the cash was dropped at a particular house. Thereafter, the member is said to have collected the cash and left in a white Nissan NP300 bakkie. Members that were on the covert operation tried to stop the vehicle driven by the suspect. However, the man responded by firing shots at the members who also returned fire,” Mohlala said.
The corrupt officer reportedly sustained injuries during the shoot-out.
He was arrested and taken to hospital where he remained under police guard.
Mohlala said they were investigating a case of corruption as well as an additional charge of attempted murder.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
