Police officer demands money from a suspect to release him
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A greedy police officer who extorted money from a criminal suspect is set to make another court appearance on September 27th.
Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said that the 45 years old Sergeant Thomas Moleme was granted R7000.00 bail upon appearance in the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrates’ Court earlier this week for corruption.
“Reports suggest that the member who was accompanied by a person whom he introduced as a Captain, arrested a suspect for assault in May this year. On their way to the police station, the pair demanded R1000.00 on behalf of the assault victim on condition that the latter withdraws the case.”
“The suspect consented to the demand and gave R1000.00 to the duo. The Sergeant and his companion further demanded R1000.00 each from the suspect. As a result, they were given R2 470.00, and they released the suspect.”
Mokgwabone said that Moleme was subsequently arrested when he continued to harass the suspect by frequently requesting more money.
Following that, he was reported to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit (ACIU), and the member was arrested in Schweizer-Reneke on Tuesday afternoon, 29 August 2023, during an undercover operation by the ACIU and Anti-Gang Unit.
