Rogue Vanderbijlpark Police Task Team Officers Face Corruption Charges After Alleged R100,000 Bribe Demand
Five Vanderbijlpark police officers accused of demanding money from a businessman during a supermarket raid have appeared in court, marking a major development in a corruption investigation that has raised fresh concerns about abuse of power within law enforcement.
The officers, who were attached to the Vanderbijlpark SAPS Vispol Task Team, are facing a corruption charge after investigators from the Hawks’ Vaal Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) unit uncovered an alleged bribery scheme linked to a raid at Oreo Supermarket in October 2024.
The accused officers, Sergeants Johannes Thakhisi (45), Ntombeko Christopher Seya (44), Mpho Godfrey Molatedi (39), Nhlanhla Sibusiso Sithole (42), and Tlokotsi Khanya (36), appeared before the Vanderbijlpark Regional Court following a detailed investigation into the allegations.
According to court documents, the incident began on 27 October 2024 when the owner of Oreo Supermarket was attending a mosque and received several urgent calls from employees. They informed him that police officers were conducting a raid at his business premises.
When the businessman arrived at the supermarket, he found the five officers, whom he recognised as members of the police service. The officers allegedly requested access to a storage area, claiming they were searching for illegal cigarettes.
The businessman informed them that his wife had the keys to the storage facility. The officers then allegedly took him along in an attempt to find her, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
The situation reportedly took a more serious turn when the officers allegedly demanded R100,000 from the businessman to prevent him from being arrested.
Seeking assistance, the businessman contacted another local business owner who was known to the officers. The friend arrived at the scene and helped negotiate the amount down to R25,000, with the payment allegedly set to take place at his supermarket.
While travelling to the agreed location, with the officers following behind in a police vehicle, the businessman contacted the Hawks’ Vaal Serious Corruption Investigation unit and reported the alleged demand.
Investigators advised him to delay the payment so that an entrapment operation could be arranged. The businessman managed to convince the officers that he needed additional time to secure the money.
After providing a sworn statement, authorities approved the operation. Officials were deployed under Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act, which allows for authorised undercover operations.
However, the planned arrest operation did not proceed as expected because the suspects failed to arrive to collect the cash.
Despite the setback, investigators continued with the case. During the investigation period, additional allegations reportedly emerged involving intimidation and coercion.
The five officers have now entered the court process, while SAPS has indicated that internal disciplinary proceedings will follow once the criminal matter has been concluded, in line with the SAPS Discipline Regulations.
The case is being closely watched as authorities continue efforts to address corruption allegations within the police service and restore public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
