26 February 2009
Mpumalanga Safety and Security MEC Siphosezwe Masango, has welcomed the
arrest of two policemen involved in fraud, saying they were unwanted "rotten
potatoes" in the South African Police Service.
A KwaMhlanga policeman, Inspector Matthews Mkhwebane attached to the vehicle
identification section was arrested on Wednesday for fraudulently releasing an
impounded stolen white Nissan 1400 to his friend who had lost a similar
vehicle.
An impounded vehicle had been stolen from Silverton in Pretoria, however
sold to a woman at Springs but later impounded by the police at KwaMhlanga
since it was not registered under her name. Mkhwebane allegedly told his friend
that there was an impounded vehicle similar to him, which had no owner and that
he could release it to him.
His friend who had lost a purple Nissan 1400 agreed and the vehicle was
released to his friendâs wife. The woman whose vehicle had been impounded by
the police noticed the car on the street and informed the police. It was after
an investigation that Mkhwebane was arrested for fraudulently releasing the
vehicle to his friend.
It was not the first time for Mkhwebane to be involved in the fraudulent
activities. In 2005, he was arrested and given a R2 000 bail for selling a
stolen vehicle for R4 000 to its owner with another policeman, Inspector Brandy
Mabizela. They were arrested after a trap was set by the police and the owner
who pretended to want to buy a car.
âThere has always been an outcry from the public that some police are
corrupt and nothing is being done about it. We congratulate the police for the
good work. The law should take its course, such officers should be put where
they belong because they are not wanted in the South African Police Service,â
said MEC Masango.
In another incident, a reserve constable from Schoemansdal Police Station
was arrested for attempted robbery when they approached people suspected for
smuggling illicit goods from Mozambique to South Africa.
The reserve constable and other four men identified themselves as police
officials conducting an operation. When the people realised that the men did
not look like policemen, they apprehended them and gave them a heavy beating
before the police arrived at the scene.
Other suspects managed to run away, however the reserve constable and other
two men were arrested. MEC was disturbing that police officers colluded with
criminals instead of arresting them and protect the law abiding citizens.
"We appeal to the police management to ensure that rotten potatoes are taken
out of the system as this would reverse the gains we have made as a country
over the years to improve the relations between the police and the public,"
said Masango.
He urged communities to report any suspicious activities to the police and
other government agencies such as the Independent Complaints Directorate.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
Issued by: Department of Safety and Security, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
26 February 2009
Source: Department of Safety and Security, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
(http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za)
