Top SAPS official in court for corruption

THE HEAD of provincial legal services for the SAPS in the Northern Cape, Major-General Thuto Gaokgakwe Phefo, 55, has been released on R4 000 bail after being charged for corruption.

The senior SAPS official was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) on August 13 and appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court the following day.

Spokesperson for the Hawks, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, yesterday said that the charges related to gratifications that were allegedly solicited from a potential job candidate in the Northern Cape, whom Phefo apparently promised to hire at the SAPS during an interview.

“After she became gainfully employed by the SAPS, the accused allegedly demanded thousands of rands from her in return for securing her employment. The complainant decided to approach the Hawks, who in turn referred her to the National Prosecuting Authority for legal advice.

“Following a lengthy joint investigation between the Hawks and Crime Intelligence into alleged corrupt activities, Phefo was arrested and made a brief appearance in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was granted R4 000 bail,” said Mulaudzi.

He added that the case was postponed to September 13 for further investigation.

Mulaudzi indicated that only one complainant had laid charges against the accused, but added that “investigations are continuing”.