SA cops demand bribe from Zim border jumpers

THE courts in South Africa have temporarily withdrawn corruption charges against two South African police officers who were arrested for allegedly taking a R2 000 bribe from a Zimbabwean illegal migration in Polokwane.

The charges were withdrawn pending further investigations on the actions of the two female officers.

Windy Heyman (40) and Tebogo Mojapelo (32), were arrested on April 11 this year by the South African organised crime unit, The Hawks, soon after receiving the money which was paid in two parts.

Hawks spokesperson for Limpopo Province, Captain Matimba Maluleke said the suspects were both based at Polokwane police station.

“Charges against the two police reservists who were arrested for corruption have provisionally been withdrawn pending further investigations,” he said.

The police officers were being tried at the Polokwane Magistrates Court.

Allegations against the two were that they arrested a Zimbabwean illegal immigrant on April 7 this year, before demanding a bribe of R2 000 for her freedom.

“The victim then called her husband who deposited R400 through e-wallet and she was released on agreement that she would settle the R1 600 balance,” Capt Maluleke said.

He said the two police officers confiscated the women’s cellphone and personal belongings on the basis that they would give them back upon payment of the remaining R1 600.

The matter, Capt Maluleke said, was reported to the Hawks who acted swiftly and arrested the two cops in Polokwane CBD during patrols.

“We encourage members of the community to report corrupt officials to the police,” he said.

“We will use everything at our disposal to fight corruption until it comes to a stop.”

The Hawks have so far arrested more than 25 South African border authorities between May 2016 and April this year in Limpopo province alone on charges of fraud and corruption.