The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) Anti Corruption Command (ACC) unit has arrested two reserve constables stationed at Cleveland South African Police Service (SAPS). On 29 September 2009, reserve constables, Sizwe Sangweni and Hashim Prasadh were arrested and charged for corruption and assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH).
Their arrest stems from the accusations labelled against them by a Johannesburg motorist whom they allegedly arrested on 12 July 2009 for drunken driving. The victim alleges that he was arrested by the two SAPS officers for driving under the influence of alcohol. He alleges that after arresting him for drunken driving they ordered him to get back into his car and follow them to a secluded area before they pulled over on the side of the road. They got out of their car and started assaulting him. They then demanded that he pay them a bribe of R500 00 to let him go; he duly obliged and gave them the money.
The victim then went to Sandton SAPS to open a case of assault GBH and corruption on 13 July 2009. Upon receipt of the case docket, the ICD instituted a full scale investigation into the matter which culminated in the arrest of the two accused officers on 29 September 2009. They were detained at Johannesburg Central Police holding cells. They appeared for the first time in the Johannesburg Regional Court on 30 September 2009 for a bail application. They were both granted bail of R5000-00 each. The case was postponed to 30 October 2009 for further investigation.
The arrest of the two SAPS officers further reaffirms ICD’s steadfast commitment to the transformation of the police service in line with the spirit and purport of the constitution.
For enquiries contact:
Ms Grace Langa
Tel: 012 392 0430
Cell: 082 809 1927
E-mail: glanga@icd.gov.za
Issued by: Independent Complaints Directorate
30 September 2009
Source: Independent Complaints Directorate (http://www.icd.gov)
