Efforts to rid the South African Police Service (SAPS) of unwanted and corrupt police officers are being intensified and will continue, and stern actions will be taken against any member who shames the department through their corrupt deeds.
This is an assurance by the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa as he commended the arrest of nine (9) SAPS officers and seven (7) Home Affairs official at Caledon Spoort Border Post, Free State this afternoon.
Police officers stationed at the border were conniving with Home Affairs officials to conduct their illegal actions through soliciting bribes from people crossing the border from South Africa to Lesotho and vice versa.
A provincial investigation and covert operation was then set up led by the SAPS Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khehla Sithole and following intensive investigations, the sixteen suspects were arrested today and will be charged with fraud and corruption.
All the seven Home Affairs officials that arrested were responsible for the migration duties and following the arrest, there was a delay in processing of movement at the border gate. However, arrangements are currently being made by Home Affairs for replacement of the suspects to ensure that operations continue effectively.
“We congratulate General Sithole and his team for a tremendous and successful operation. We cannot have police officers who contaminate our service when they should be discharging their duties with loyalty and dedication. We have emphasized to SAPS management to intensify the war on corruption. We shall ensure that we clean the SAPS and further believe that today’s arrest will send a message that tsotsi-cops have no place within SAPS.”
Minister Mthethwa reiterated that police derive their mandate from the Constitution of the Republic as well as the SAPS Code of Conduct. “This is an excellent code however the Code of Conduct within SAPS needs to be elevated to ensure that it is being practiced, daily. All SAPS members need to understand and adhere to this code and they need to understand an indeed experience, the dire consequences of violating this Code of Conduct.”
The Minister has further cautioned those who pay bribes to official to refrain from such practices. He has urged officers to arrest without hesitation any person who tries to bribe them and equally urged the public to report any official who solicits bribe.
In recent times, the police have been in the media recently regarding certain members’ actions and we believe that this is an issue that has, at times, unfairly portrayed the whole SAPS in the same view. We are aware that the majority of our members are hardworking and committed to fighting crime and as police leadership, we shall always elevate such dedication to the public.
The suspects will appear at the Bethlehem Magistrate Court tomorrow.
For enquiries:
Zweli Mnisi, Spokesperson to the Minister of Police
Cell: 082 045 4024
