Six police officers implicated in taking bribes from illegal immigrants at Booysens police station, in Johannesburg, in a recent television documentary have finally been suspended — five days after Gauteng police management were alerted to the alleged corruption.
Gauteng safety minister Firoz Cachalia said on Friday they will also face internal disciplinary charges as well as criminal charges, and that their suspension is without pay.
A press conference, however, heard that they have not yet been arrested.
While two of the police officers were clearly shown accepting bribes in the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) Special Assignment programme on Tuesday, Gauteng police said earlier this week this may not be enough to secure their successful prosecution.
According to Gauteng police Commissioner Perumal Naidoo, ”visuals alone, in my opinion, are insufficient to secure a successful prosecution”.
Naidoo was invited to view the footage before it was shown to the public on Tuesday, and apparently stormed out of the SABC studios.
Cachalia said he will consult with senior editors to seek media cooperation in investigations.
However, he said, he is not considering going as far as subpoenaing reporters under Section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act.
”It would be best to deal with the matter in a way that balances the competing interesting of media freedom and the public’s interest in crime prevention.”
More corruption arrests
On Friday morning, police arrested five of their colleagues in the Western Cape and one in the Eastern Cape.
The Western Cape arrests, in Strand, followed corruption investigations, Western Cape police said.
”They were arrested and held on separate charges ranging from dealing in and possession of illegal substances and firearms,” said Superintendent Billy Jones.
”The cases in question involve two sergeants, 33 and 35, and two inspectors, 32 and 35, based at Strand police. Another inspector, 33, is based at Somerset West.”
Jones said a woman (26) and a man (36), who were alleged to be involved in criminal activity by police officials, were also arrested.
”All the suspects are in police custody and scheduled to appear in the Strand Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” Jones said.
In the Eastern Cape incident, in Qumbu, a police sergeant was found to be in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
He could not produce a licence, said Superintendent Nondumiso Jafta.
The sergeant is attached to the police store, and the gun was a court exhibit.
”He will appear in court soon,” Jafta said. — Sapa