| 2024/11/17 |
|
Media Statement POTCHEFSTROOM – The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest and subsequent appearance of two police employees before court this week. In the first incident, Naledi Millicent Mere (30), an administration clerk at Provincial Facility Management, appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 13 November 2024, for fraud. She was released on R2000.00 bail and the case was postponed to Thursday, 27 February 2025. Mere allegedly reported sick between 9 and 13 September 2024, and submitted a leave form, accompanied by two sick notes. Initial investigations by the Anti-Corruption Unit revealed that although the accused visited the doctor during that time, she was never booked off sick. It was further established that the Doctor’s signature on the sick note was fraudulent. In a second unrelated incident, the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) arrested Constable Desmond Sipho Chauke (35), working at Phokeng Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STES), on Thursday, 14 November 2024, for corruption and defeating the ends of justice. It is alleged that farmers in the Koster area arrested five suspects for poaching on Sunday, 25 August 2024, and handed them over to the police for detention. Chauke, who was on standby, interviewed the accused and indicated to them that they must pay R1000,00 each. According to information, one of the five accused accompanied Chauke to a Supermarket in town where R3000.00 was withdrawn and given to the police officer. Furthermore, Chauke released one of the suspects who was illegally in the country without informing Home Affairs. The other four accused paid a further fine of R300.00 each and were released. Chauke appeared before the Koster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 15 November 2024, and was released on R1000.00 bail. He is expected to reappear before the same court on Monday, 2 December 2024. Lieutenant General Sello Kwena expressed his gratitude to all the members involved in exposing and arresting employees who fail to act with integrity. He emphasized that the South African Police Service will not hesitate to take drastic actions against employees who are involved in criminal activities. Ends
Enquiries:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService |
|
|
