FIVE policemen from Mdantsane’s NU1 police station were arrested yesterday on charges of drug dealing, racketeering and defeating the ends of justice.
All five are in their early 30s and attached to the station’s crime prevention unit.
They were arrested after a year-long investigation into their conduct by members of the Hawks and the crime intelligence unit.
The officers are alleged to have raided the homes of drug dealers in the township, acting in their scope of work, and then sold the seized drugs back to the community.
The drugs were never stored in the police station, but allegedly in the police officers’ homes.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Celiwe Binta said the arrests were a clear sign of a police service trying to rid itself of rotten apples.
“The arrest of these members today must send a strong message to all SAPS members and employees in the province not to involve themselves in any form of criminal activities, including corruption,” Binta said.
Moments before their arrests a group of high-flying intelligence officers confidently walked into the police station armed with arrest warrants.
It was just after 10am and the five suspects had just begun their day shift.
Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said the officers were still in uniform when they were arrested.
“About a year ago we received information from members of the public about certain police officers who were suspected of drug dealing,” Ramaloko said, adding that police did not waste time in investigating this serious crime.
“We set the wheels in motion, and on numerous occasions our agents bought drugs from these suspects.
“We welcome the arrests
“We won’t shy away from arresting our own,” said Ramaloko.
He said police did not rule out the possibility of more arrests.
The suspects are due to appear at the East London Magistrate’s Court this morning, where they will face charges of drug dealing, racketeering and defeating the ends of justice.
Binta advised all SAPS members to adhere to the code of conduct that they signed before joining the organisation. —
Mdantsane cops in drug dealing, racketeering bust
All five are in their early 30s and attached to the station’s crime prevention unit.
They were arrested after a year-long investigation into their conduct by members of the Hawks and the crime intelligence unit.
The officers are alleged to have raided the homes of drug dealers in the township, acting in their scope of work, and then sold the seized drugs back to the community.
The drugs were never stored in the police station, but allegedly in the police officers’ homes.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Celiwe Binta said the arrests were a clear sign of a police service trying to rid itself of rotten apples.
“The arrest of these members today must send a strong message to all SAPS members and employees in the province not to involve themselves in any form of criminal activities, including corruption,” Binta said.
Moments before their arrests a group of high-flying intelligence officers confidently walked into the police station armed with arrest warrants.
It was just after 10am and the five suspects had just begun their day shift.
Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said the officers were still in uniform when they were arrested.
“About a year ago we received information from members of the public about certain police officers who were suspected of drug dealing,” Ramaloko said, adding that police did not waste time in investigating this serious crime.
“We set the wheels in motion, and on numerous occasions our agents bought drugs from these suspects.
“We welcome the arrests
“We won’t shy away from arresting our own,” said Ramaloko.
He said police did not rule out the possibility of more arrests.
The suspects are due to appear at the East London Magistrate’s Court this morning, where they will face charges of drug dealing, racketeering and defeating the ends of justice.
Binta advised all SAPS members to adhere to the code of conduct that they signed before joining the organisation. —
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