On 5 August 2010, the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) arrested Warrant Officer HJ George of Kakamas SAPS in the Northern Cape for robbery and defeating the course of justice.
The allegations are that Warrant Officer HJ George of the Kakamas SAPS, whilst on leave, went to the station to assist to trace another SAPS member in the area. He went out patrolling in the Kakamas area with a reservist.
It is alleged that he then stopped persons walking in the street and upon assaulting them, took a wallet containing R150. He also detained the persons in the SAPS vehicle. He later dropped off the complainants at a nearby hospital and returned the wallet to the owner without the money.
It is further alleged that upon hearing that a case of robbery had been opened for investigation, Warrant Officer George approached the complainants and offered to pay them back the money if they withdrew the case. He apparently paid the complainants an amount of R 250,00. The suspect is alleged to have also made threats to the reservist and warned him against giving a statement to the authorities.
The ICD investigated the matter, subsequent to which a case of defeating the course of justice was opened against the suspect. Officer George was arrested on 5 August 2010 and detained at Upington police station. He appeared at the Kakamas Magistrates Court in Kakamas on 10 August 2010. The suspect is also currently out on bail of R15000 for crimes of a similar nature.
The ICD will oppose bail when the suspect appears in court on 13 August 2010 for a formal bail application.
Enquiries:
Moses Dlamini
cell: 082 809 1927
ICD arrest a SAPS warrant officer for roberry and defeating the course of justice: Kakamas
