FIVE Mdantsane policemen arrested on charges of drug dealing remained in custody yesterday after their bail application was held till next week.
Four constables and one reservist aged between 27 and 37 appeared briefly in the Mdantsane and East London magistrate’s courts .
Investigating officers said they would face charges of dealing in drugs, racketeering and defeating the ends of justice.
Unathi Myoli, Siyanda Nobatyi, Headman Zamikhaya Nqweniso and Daluxolo Mgqibelo appeared in Mdantsane and Reneal Allan Francis in East London.
The five have been under investigation for more than a year after a tip-off from the public.
Hawks and crime intelligence unit officers arrested the five while they were on duty at Mdantsane’s NU1 police station on Wednesday.
Magistrate Nolundi Mkwali told the four accused in Mdantsane yesterday their bail application had been postponed to next week Thursday and the hearing for Francis would be in East London on Wednesday.
Hawks spokesman Paul Ramaloko said: “We have a watertight case against them; they were working in the crime prevention unit which meant they were in communities confiscating drugs from dealers and instead of handing the drugs in at the station, they sold them back into the community .”
Family members of the accused gathered at the courts yesterday.
The four in Mdantsane covered their faces during their appearance.
More than R10000 worth of mandrax was reportedly found on the accused in addition to the dagga dealings they have been charged with.
Investigating Officer Captain Raymond Buys said they intended to oppose bail next week.
Four of the accused have legal representatives but Mgqibelo not yet.
Nqweniso’s attorney, Ben van Rensburg, said for now his client faced only dealing in dagga charges.
Ramaloko said the arrests showed the police would not “shy away, even if we have to arrest our own”.
“We are rooting out the rotten apples among us.”
The provincial department of safety and liaison welcomed the arrests .
“We applaud the police officers . This will help rid the service of corrupt elements that compromise its integrity ,” MEC Helen Sauls-August said yesterday . —
Drugs-accused cops in jail for a week
Four constables and one reservist aged between 27 and 37 appeared briefly in the Mdantsane and East London magistrate’s courts .
Investigating officers said they would face charges of dealing in drugs, racketeering and defeating the ends of justice.
Unathi Myoli, Siyanda Nobatyi, Headman Zamikhaya Nqweniso and Daluxolo Mgqibelo appeared in Mdantsane and Reneal Allan Francis in East London.
The five have been under investigation for more than a year after a tip-off from the public.
Hawks and crime intelligence unit officers arrested the five while they were on duty at Mdantsane’s NU1 police station on Wednesday.
Magistrate Nolundi Mkwali told the four accused in Mdantsane yesterday their bail application had been postponed to next week Thursday and the hearing for Francis would be in East London on Wednesday.
Hawks spokesman Paul Ramaloko said: “We have a watertight case against them; they were working in the crime prevention unit which meant they were in communities confiscating drugs from dealers and instead of handing the drugs in at the station, they sold them back into the community .”
Family members of the accused gathered at the courts yesterday.
The four in Mdantsane covered their faces during their appearance.
More than R10000 worth of mandrax was reportedly found on the accused in addition to the dagga dealings they have been charged with.
Investigating Officer Captain Raymond Buys said they intended to oppose bail next week.
Four of the accused have legal representatives but Mgqibelo not yet.
Nqweniso’s attorney, Ben van Rensburg, said for now his client faced only dealing in dagga charges.
Ramaloko said the arrests showed the police would not “shy away, even if we have to arrest our own”.
“We are rooting out the rotten apples among us.”
The provincial department of safety and liaison welcomed the arrests .
“We applaud the police officers . This will help rid the service of corrupt elements that compromise its integrity ,” MEC Helen Sauls-August said yesterday . —
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