Two East London detectives with more than 30 years of experience between them have been arrested on charges of corruption by members of the Hawks.
The detectives – Warrant Officer Xolani Senti, 42, and Constable Siyabulela Folokwe, 32 – were arrested in a sting operation in Mdantsane NU1 on Thursday.
They are attached to the NU1 police station’s detective unit and specialise in investigating serious violent crimes.
Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said Senti and Folokwe allegedly solicited a R1 000 bribe from a suspect wanted in connection with drunken driving and domestic violence cases in NU1.
“The suspect had two warrants of arrest issued against him; he was arrested on Wednesday by the two detectives. It is alleged that when they went to pick him up at his home, the officers demanded that he pay them R1000 to make the domestic violence case disappear.
“When the suspect failed to fork out the money he was arrested and booked at the NU1 police station. On Thursday the officers allegedly went back to him in the cells and demanded that he pay them the money. The suspect was only able to raise R400.
He appeared in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court and was later released (after police did not oppose bail),” Mulaudzi said.
While leaving the court it is alleged the two officers threatened to arrest the man for the alleged drunken driving offence if he failed to raise the R600 balance.
The Hawks were then informed and a trap was set up during which the two were arrested.
Mulaudzi said the officers appeared in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court and were released on bail of R1000 each and warned to appear again on March 31.
The case was postponed for further investigation.
A police source in NU1 said Senti had reported for duty yesterday.
“Folokwe is off sick and had a doctor’s appointment today . You can just see from the commanders’ faces that they are not happy about the (behaviour of the officers).” The source said Senti had been with the police for more than 21 years, and Folokwe for 11 years. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Seasoned detectives in court over R1 000
The detectives – Warrant Officer Xolani Senti, 42, and Constable Siyabulela Folokwe, 32 – were arrested in a sting operation in Mdantsane NU1 on Thursday.
They are attached to the NU1 police station’s detective unit and specialise in investigating serious violent crimes.
Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said Senti and Folokwe allegedly solicited a R1 000 bribe from a suspect wanted in connection with drunken driving and domestic violence cases in NU1.
“The suspect had two warrants of arrest issued against him; he was arrested on Wednesday by the two detectives. It is alleged that when they went to pick him up at his home, the officers demanded that he pay them R1000 to make the domestic violence case disappear.
“When the suspect failed to fork out the money he was arrested and booked at the NU1 police station. On Thursday the officers allegedly went back to him in the cells and demanded that he pay them the money. The suspect was only able to raise R400.
He appeared in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court and was later released (after police did not oppose bail),” Mulaudzi said.
While leaving the court it is alleged the two officers threatened to arrest the man for the alleged drunken driving offence if he failed to raise the R600 balance.
The Hawks were then informed and a trap was set up during which the two were arrested.
Mulaudzi said the officers appeared in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court and were released on bail of R1000 each and warned to appear again on March 31.
The case was postponed for further investigation.
A police source in NU1 said Senti had reported for duty yesterday.
“Folokwe is off sick and had a doctor’s appointment today . You can just see from the commanders’ faces that they are not happy about the (behaviour of the officers).” The source said Senti had been with the police for more than 21 years, and Folokwe for 11 years. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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