News24 reports that three Mpumalanga police officers have been arrested for allegedly soliciting a R25,000 bribe to drop a rape charge.
The officers, all stationed at the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit, appeared in the Kabokweni Magistrate's Court on Monday. The accused, namely Sergeant Bonisile Mjali, Sergeant Xolani Nxumalo and Constable Thulisile Mkhatshwa, were released on R3,000 bail each. "It is alleged that on 7 January 2020 one of the accused was investigating a case of rape against the complainant. Instead of arresting the suspect, the accused phoned him and told him that she is investigating a case against him, but in order for him not to be arrested and for the case to be cancelled he must pay R25,000. The accused drove to the workplace of the complainant, demanding money. He told them that he does not have such amount of money but he can only manage to give them R5,000 cash," a Hawks spokesperson reported. The accused allegedly requested an additional R10,000 and kept phoning the complainant to demand more money. He reported the matter to the Hawks, who investigated. The case has been transferred to the Nelspruit Commercial Crimes Court and is expected to resume on 6 July 2021.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24
- Read too, Bail for former Limpopo teacher accused of raping pupil on several occasions, at News24
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