Four police officials and a traffic officer have been arrested in Johannesburg in connection with the alleged theft of nearly R900,000 during a police operation at a shop in the city.
The arrests, carried out on Thursday, July 3, were executed by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) team.
Those detained include Captain Letlhogonolo Andrew Molatlhegi, 59, Warrant Officer Mabutho Masina, 46, Constable Mpho Irvyn Netshivhera, 30, Constable Nhlamulo Matsilela, 30, as well as Simon Mapusi Rakuba, 47, and Lebogang Tseto, 41, both civilians.
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo said the incident dates back to June 30, when a shop owner received a call from an employee reporting that police officers were on the premises.
Before the complainant could reach the shop, the call was cut off. On arrival, he found the business closed and was later informed at Johannesburg Central Police Station that his employees had been arrested for contravening Section 9 of the Currency Act of 1933.
After a thorough investigation, the charges against the employees were withdrawn. The complainant subsequently reported to the Hawks that approximately R900,000 had been taken during the raid, with allegedly only a fraction of the cash officially recorded in police evidence logs.
“A preliminary investigation was launched, and the Hawks traced the suspects to Newtown,” Brigadier Mbambo said.
Searches of several vehicles at the scene led to the recovery of a substantial amount of cash in one of the cars.
Further enquiries linked four more officials to the alleged crime. These additional suspects have since been arrested and are due to appear alongside their six co-accused in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 4.
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