The former commander of detectives at the Maitland police station was among three police officers remanded in custody by the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The former commander — Captain Trevor Chetty — and inspectors Ronnie Matthews and John Stevens face charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice. They were arrested on Sunday.
The state was represented by senior state advocate Greg Wolmarans when Chetty stepped into the dock with Matthews and Stevens.
Chetty (now a detective), Matthews and Stevens are attached to the Maitland detective service.
Wolmarans told the court the prosecution needed the usual seven-day postponement to gather information about the men, which would enable the state to decide whether to oppose bail.
At his request, the three were remanded to the Goodwood prison, rather than to Pollsmoor prison, which is notorious for its violent elements.
The men appeared before magistrate Grant Engel.
The defence team, Mushtak Parker, for Stevens and Chetty, and Noorodien Hassen, for Matthews, said the authorities had already had ample time to gather whatever information they needed.
For this reason, any further prosecution request for a postponement for further investigation would be opposed, they said.
Engel remanded the three to June 20, when Wolmarans is to indicate whether he wishes to oppose the bail application, scheduled for July 7. — Sapa