The Directorate of Special Operations (DSO, Scorpions) of the National Prosecuting Authority on Thursday night arrested a senior state advocate stationed at the DSO’s Gauteng regional office. The state advocate, who may not be named until she appears in court, was arrested on charges of corruption, defeating the ends of justice, extortion and contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act.
The suspect will appear at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
”The state advocate was arrested at the Sandton police station by DSO investigators assisted by the South African Police Service (SAPS). At the time of her arrest the suspect had in her possession a large amount of money believed to have been paid to her on behalf of awaiting trial prisoners in a criminal matter that is being handled by the DSO,” the DSO said in a statement on Friday.
It said the arrest of the suspect followed a DSO investigation that was instituted after the head of its Gauteng office received information that the state advocate was involved in corrupt activities.
”The investigation has revealed that two accused men have, following their arrest, been paying over large amounts of cash to the suspect in exchange for her promises to have the criminal matter go away.
”The [directorate of prosecutions] is angry and disappointed by the alleged conduct of the state advocate who is a member of the unit that is at the forefront of the fight against corruption.
”The NPA will make sure that the suspect faces the full might of the law and that if found guilty will recommend the harshest punishment possible under the circumstances. The NPA is working tirelessly to root out corruption, fraud and all other crimes in society and we shall deal mercilessly with such criminality when it rears its ugly head in our own ranks,” the statement said. — I-Net Bridge