Police unlawfully detain a man and demands 4K for his release
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South African Police Services (SAPS) has found themselves with their hands full, having being forced to enforce law both on ordinary citizens and also having to deal with corrupt officials within their ranks.
This follows and arrest of three police officials who were arrest in Upington in the Northern Cape for allegedly unlawfully arresting a man without any valid reason.
27 year old Thapelo Semamai, 36 years old Sergeant Philip Gaekgwathi, and 33 years old Sergeant Martin Bosch are facing a charge of extortion and theft.
It is alleged according to the statement by the police that on 24 November 2021 the trio conducted a covert operational search for drugs at the house in the suburb of Paballelo near Upington.
Subsequent to the search, no drugs or any other illegal items were found.
“The police officials took the complainant in the police vehicle without any lawful arrest and demanded money from him whilst driving around the area.”
“The complainant agreed to give them R4000 to release him, which he subsequently paid on their return to his house. They also took his cellular phone during the incident.”
The said accused officials later on handed back both the money and the cellphone after finding out that a case against them was opened.
They made a brief appearance at the Upington District Court and their case was postponed to March 14th pending further investigations by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
