14 December 2006
The Department of Home Affairs welcomes the arrest of a civilian by the
police at the Lindela Holding Facility on Monday, 11 December 2006.
On Friday, 8 December 2006, Luis Defsreipus, a South African citizen of
Portuguese origin had approached officials at the facility and attempted to
bribe them to release a Mr Djeddie Abdelohani, an Algerian national detained at
Lindela for being illegal in South Africa. Defsreipus promised R15 000 to
officials at Lindela for the release of Abdelohani.
Vigilant Lindela officials reported the matter to the West Rand Organised
Crime unit.
Defsreipus was asked to return to Lindela on Monday, 11 December 2006. When
he did, he reiterated his intention to pay a bribe for the release of
Abdelohani, as he 'worked for him.' The South African Police Service (SAPS)
members were already in the office and requested the Department of Home Affairs
officials at Lindela to facilitate the release. After the release, Abdelohani
was handed over to Defsreipus who paid a bribe to a plain clothed Police
Official as arranged by SAPS members.
The plain clothed SAPS official counted the money in the presence of
Defsreipus and immediately identified himself as a Police Officer. The other
two SAPS members joined him and Defsreipus was arrested and taken to
Randfontein Police Station. He appeared at the Krugersdorp Magistrate Court
yesterday, 13 December 2006, on charges of bribery and corruption and was
remanded in custody after the state opposed his bail.
Welcoming the arrest, Acting Director-General Joel Chavalala commended the
vigilant officials who alerted the authorities upon being approached. He said:
"This act of selflessness by these officials affirms what we have been saying
all along that not all Home Affairs officials are corrupt. These dedicated
cadres resisted the lure of instant cash to demonstrate that they truly embrace
the ethos of Batho Pele principles."
Enquiries:
Mantshele wa ga Tau
Cell: 082 802 4814
Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
14 December 2006
