News24 reports that a Free State police officer has been arrested for allegedly aiding a suspect to escape from custody.

Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli reported that in December last year the police received a tip-off on the whereabouts of alleged stock thieves in Welkom. Officers arrested seven people in connection with stock theft and the suspects were all "placed at the back of a patrol vehicle for detention". Kareli reported further: "It is alleged that the female officer, who was initially not part of the arresting team, went to the back of the vehicle and released one of the suspects. Upon realising that one of the suspects had been released and not detained, the arresting officer took the matter up with their overall commander and the matter was handed over to the Anti-Corruption Unit." The unit's investigation led to the arrest of the 56-year-old officer for defeating the ends of justice and aiding an escape. The 52-year-old escapee was rearrested and charged with escaping from custody. The officer and the man appeared in the Welkom Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Nicole McCain at News24

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