Criminal policeman sentenced to 12 years imprisonment
Yet another criminal, this time a former police officer are behind bars.
Moditle Johnson Motsepe (39) was recently sent to 12 years imprisonment in the Kroonstad High Court after he was found guilty in a case of robbery and attempted murder. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The court case followed the bombing of an ATM in Hennenman on 20 June 2012. Police officers on duty passed the crime scene at about 02h00 and then gave chase to a BMW vehicle that was speeding from Hennenman to Riebeeckstad. After they arrived at a house in Oppenheimer Park, the suspects left the vehicle and fled on foot. Two of the suspects were later apprehended by the officers and some shots were exchanged between them.
When they realised they will not be able to escape the long arm of the law, one of the suspects shot himself. He was later certified dead at the scene. One of the remaining suspects was arrested and he told the police that they were operating with a police member of the Meloding SAPS.
After thorough investigation, Motsepe was arrested.
The MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Hon. Butana Komphela, commented on the conviction and said that corrupt and criminal police offers should not be in the SA Police Service but in jail.
‘There are instances where police members choose to side with criminals and as such putting the whole SAPS in disrepute. I want to assure the citizens of this Province that we are going to flush these bad elements from the SAPS and only keep officers who understand their constitutional obligation to prevent, combat and investigate crime, to maintain public order, to protect and secure the inhabitants of the Republic and their property, and to uphold and enforce law,’ MEC Komphela said.
MEC Butana Komphela also said on various occasions that a more professional police service should be created. ‘We need to rid the institution of any bad patches that exist in the SAPS.’ He warned that there is no place for crime and corruption within the South African Police Service.
Enquiries:
Saki Mohono
Cell: 082 385 5600
