Foreigners in court for bribe

police applied for a 252A, in order to conduct an undercover police operation. We inserted a camera and audio in the room and everything was set up for the transaction.

“The accused were arrested after they gave R12 000 to the immigration officer.”

The investigating officer stated that one of the reasons why he was opposing bail was because of the unknown manner in which the accused had entered the country.

“Accused one (Somoun) is in possession of a passport, however, the validity thereof is being investigated by Home Affairs. Accused two (Mohammed) does not have a passport and there is no record of how he entered the country.

“Should they get bail, it will be difficult for the police to trace the accused as there is no record on when and how they entered the country. They are a flight risk.”

He further stated that the accused did not have any local businesses and were not in possession of any assets which might stop them from leaving the country.

“Accused one (Somoun) gave an address in Phakamile Mabija Street. When we went there, the owner confirmed that the accused was staying there, but he also said that the accused does not sleep there every night. He said there is an alternative place the accused stays at, but he did not know the address.

“He said that he was merely assisting the accused with a place to stay as he had lost all his businesses and did not have an income. This information was confirmed by the wife of the accused, who had moved to Kathu.

“The wife said that she had left after the accused lost his businesses and could no longer provide for her.”

The officer stated that the same applied for the other accused.

“Accused two (Mohammed) said that he was staying at Shop 14 at the Indian Centre. We followed up on the address and confirmed that the accused was working at the shop. The accused is not married and does not have any assets.”

He added that both the accused have no previous criminal records, adding however that Somoun has a pending case of theft against him.

The matter was postponed to October for a further bail application.