Cape Town – A police operation to stabilise crime in Umbilo, Durban reportedly led to the arrest of a police officer who was caught taking a bribe from a suspected drug dealer on Friday.
During the operation, the police team noticed suspicious activities happening in a police vehicle from Durban Central outside a block of flats on Noble Road, reports said.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who had joined the operation to show support and boost police morale, got to see firsthand the corruption that goes on in the SAPS.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, while the team was busy with their operation, they notice an unknown male leaning through the police vehicle window and handing something over to the passenger, reported SowetanLive.
Police moved towards the police vehicle “but upon seeing the team approaching, the member in the passenger seat threw something out the window”, the report said.
ALSO READ | Opposition parties call for ‘failing’ Police Minister Bheki Cele to resign
The 39-year-old Sergeant was confronted and arrested for corruption and defeating the ends of justice after a R200 note he was suspected to have thrown out was found from a drain, said Gwala.
The unknown male who had given the Sergeant the R200 was found in possession of drugs.
“The flat was searched and police found cocaine and R7 000 cash, suspected to be the proceeds of crime,” the report quoted Gwala as sayi.
Two men, both aged 52, were arrested for possession of drugs.
The three suspects, including the Sergeant, were expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday, the report said.
“The arrests … especially that of the police officer, are a giant leap for those hard-working police officers trying to rid our ranks of corrupt elements,” Mkhwanazi was quoted as saying.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@SAPoliceServices
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe