Staff Reporter
Three people aged between 50 and 75 have been arrested for allegedly trying to defeat the ends of justice and corruption after plying a rape victim with cash in a bid to convince her to withdraw charges.
Free State spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Christopher Singo, said in a statement the suspects were arrested yesterday and in the early hours of Wednesday in Bloemfontein.
The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit carried out the arrest, assisted by the Tactical Response Team and Crime Intelligence.
According to Singo, the suspects allegedly approached the victim last Thursday and paid her R6 000 and pressed her to withdraw a case of rape and trafficking in persons against Simon Galaka who is currently in custody.
“The suspects, who are relatives of the accused, continuously contacted the victim and her family to force them to withdraw the case,” said Singo.
“They promised that once the case was withdrawn, they will pay the remaining amount of R6 000,” he added.
It is further alleged that they also wrote a letter to the victim’s family, committing themselves to pay the promised money as a portion of lobola to the victim.
The matter was reported to the Director of Public Prosecutions in Bloemfontein who then instructed the Hawks to open a case of corruption and defeating the ends of justice against the relatives of the accused.
A case was then opened and a warrant of arrest was issued by the court leading to the arrest of the three.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Thursday.