DURBAN: 15 June 2020 – The Provincial Commissioner in KwaZulu-Natal, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula welcomed the arrest of ten police officers in Chatsworth following an intensive investigation by detectives from the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit.
“This latest breakthrough is yet another endeavor in our promise to rid this province of corrupt police officers and confirms that our citizens have confidence in our ability to take serious action against any of our police officers that break the law. We remain steadfast in our belief that this is the ultimate manner in which we can clean our house and we wish to thank members of the community that have shown a willingness to work with us,” he said.
In the early hours of this morning, detectives from the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit and Pinetown Cluster Detective Task Team arrested ten police officers in Chatsworth for two separate cases reported to the police. In the first case, the complainant told police that on 8 May 2020 he and his friends proceeded to Unit 5 in Chatsworth to buy cigarettes. As they left the premises, an unmarked police vehicle stopped them and three police officers alighted from the vehicle.
The police officers questioned them and searched their vehicle. The police officers then stole five cases of cigarettes as well as R4000 in cash from them. When the complainant proceeded to the police station to enquire about his case, he realised that the police officers did not hand in the seized items. He then reported the matter to Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for investigation. This morning detectives arrested the three police officers for corruption and theft. They will appear in the Chatsworth Magistrates Court tomorrow.
In the second incident, the complainant stated that on 8 June 2020 seven police officers approached him while he was at his shop, which is at Unit 3 in Chatsworth. The police officers accused him of selling cigarettes. Following a search of the premises, the police officers charged him for selling cigarettes and for bribing them with R20 000 in cash.
When the man returned to his shop, he realised that the suspects had removed two boxes containing R250 000 in cash as well as cigarettes. He reported the theft to police at Chatsworth who contacted the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit. This morning detectives arrested the seven police officers for corruption and theft. They will appear in the Chatsworth Magistrates Court tomorrow. We expect more arrests as investigations into their involvement in similar crimes are ongoing.
“We once again salute those that report such corrupt activities to the police. We certainly do not need such individuals in our communities,” Lieutenant General Jula added.