Two police sergeants attached to the Mangaung Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) have been arrested for corruption, extortion, theft and defeating the ends of justice.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said in a statement the alleged rogue officers were arrested by members of the Free State Anti-Corruption Unit this Wednesday.
He said the arrests relate to a March 2022 sexual assault case which Mangaung FCS was investigating.
“It is alleged that the duo forced the female victim to extort cash from the male suspect, 38, with promises that the sexual assault matter against him would be dropped,” said Makhele.
He said the suspect initially complied with the demands and gave the money demanded by the police on the pretext that it would be passed on to the sexual assault victim.
The two police officers are said to have shared the money between themselves but would not stop making demands.
“The suspect approached the anti-corruption unit . . . and an operation was set up which led to their arrest,” Makhele explained.
Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane lamented the conduct of the pair saying it was an embarrassment to the police force.
“The South African Police Service is serious about rooting out corruption, including among its ranks. No one will be spared,” she said.
“We also commend the bravery of the man who came forward with information.”
The suspects were expected to make a brief appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, an off-duty police officer was on Monday assisted by community members to catch an alleged rapist after a woman was raped behind the Rand Mutual Hospital in Welkom.
Constable Gordon Kamfer, a member of the Welkom K9 Unit, was doing his personal errands when he heard people shouting for help outside Sylvania Spar.
He then went out to investigate and was told that a woman had just been raped near the hospital which is situated at the corner of Koppie Aileen and Heron Cres Jan Celliers Park in the mining town.
Kamfer asked the victim, who was in front of the store, what had happened and she narrated her ordeal to him.
The woman also told Kamfer the suspect had threatened to stab her with a broken bottle.
The suspect, who lives in one of the hostels in Thabong, was immediately arrested and is expected to appear in the Welkom Magistrates Court soon. – Staff Reporter