Former cop convicted on corruption charges

A FORMER police officer who was convicted of corruption after he approached two accused persons and offered to destroy evidence against them has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

Police spokesperson André Traut said Shaun Hoffman was convicted on two counts of corruption.

“Last week Friday Hoffman, a former member of SAPS, was convicted on two counts of corruption in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years,” Traut said.

At the time of the incidents in 2015, Hoffman was a warrant officer stationed at Pinelands police station when, on two occasions, he approached people arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, offering to destroy the evidence by heating their blood samples in a microwave oven.

In return, he was to receive amounts of R2 000 and R1 000 respectively.

Hoffman faced five counts of defeating the administration of justice and three of corruption.

“Following an investigation by our Anti-Corruption Unit, the accused was arrested on December 10, 2015 after he resigned from the service.

“Corruption is seen in a very serious light and we will make every endeavour to rid SAPS of members who are involved in any criminal activity so that the community can be served by dedicated, law-abiding and loyal police officers,” Traut said.

Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said the conviction was good news in the continued bid to root out corrupt police officers.

“As a union we are happy for the conviction. Police officials have a mandate and they are supposed to obey the law instead of transgressing it,” he said.

Mamabolo said corrupt officers tarnished the reputation of law-abiding police officers who worked tirelessly to uphold their mandate and continue the fight against crime.

“We believe the minority of police officials are corrupt and they are dragging down the name of the good officers who are committed to the service of this country.

“The corrupt ones who abuse their positions, should be exposed,” Mamabolo said.