Thuthukani Ndebele, Kerwin Lebone and Frans Cronje, "Broken Blue Line: The involvement of the South African Police Force in serious and violent crime in South Africa", A research paper by the Unit for Risk Analysis, South African Institute of Race Relations, February 14 2011

FOREWORD

The South African Police Force is the critical ingredient in South Africa successfully combating the scourge of violent crime. South Africa remains a very violent society despite the progress made by the police and the private security sector in reducing the country's murder rate by 50% over the past 15 years. However, despite such positive performance many other types of crimes, especially violent robberies, have increased. The appointment of Bheki Cele as the police commissioner has been accompanied by a greater openness and willingness of the part of the police to acknowledge the challenges they face. His insistence on better discipline and more professional dress and decorum in the police is welcome. Fortunately too the crime denialism of the Mbeki era has largely been done away with since Jacob Zuma came to power. These are all positive changes on which the country must build. The South African Police Force will, however, need every possible kind of support from the civil society and think-tank sectors in the country in order to build on its successes and eliminate failures. This report will be made available publicly in South Africa in that spirit and we hope that the police will receive this report in the spirit it was intended. The Institute expects that its release may assist legislators and the management of the South African Police Force to make better policy regarding policing in South Africa.

Frans Cronje
Deputy CEO
Unit for Risk Analysis
South African Institute of Race Relations

OVERVIEW

South Africans have become accustomed to media reports alleging the involvement of policemen or ‘people dressed in police uniforms' in serious crimes. The Institute and its Unit for Risk Analysis have become increasingly concerned at the number and nature of these reports. To try and determine the scale of the problem, the Institute assigned a researcher to source as much information as possible on the involvement of police officers in committing crime.

The results were alarming. The Institute consulted journalists, media reports, and information from the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) . Within a week, a list of over 100 separate incidents alleging and/or confirming the police's involvement in serious crimes was drawn up. The Institute's researchers stopped looking for more incidents after compiling this list of the initial 100.

The 100 incidents do not include reports of petty crimes, poor service delivery, or the soliciting of small bribes by officials. Without exception, the 100 incidents identified in this report arc related to very serious and often violent and pre-mediated criminal behaviour. These included ATM bombings, armed robberies, house robberies, rapes, murders, and serious assaults.

Timeline and extent of the incidents

Approximately 75% of the identified incidents took place between January 2009 and April 2010. This is largely a result of media archives and other reports giving prominence to the most recent incidents, and is not intended to suggest that there has necessarily been an upsurge in incidents. This report also identified incidents going back well over a decade, showing that the police's involvement in criminality is not a recent phenomenon.

Readers should take note that after identifying these 100 incidents our research team stopped looking for more incidents. The figure of 100 must therefore not be taken as any indication of the total number of allegations or convictions of policemen implicated in serious and violent crimes. In fact it is our opinion that with more resources, the Institute would have identified several hundred if not several thousand incidents.

General crime reporting figures for South Africa have been estimated by some surveys to be considerably lower than the number of actual crimes committed. This is particularly likely to be the case where police officers are alleged to be responsible for committing a crime. In part this is because the victim of that crime may be too afraid to report the crime or may not have any confidence in the police investigating the crime.

About 80 of the 100 cases featured in this report arose from reports first published in the Media. Readers may question the veracity of using these reports as a source of information. The police may raise questions over whether the Media has an agenda to portray the police in a bad light. There may also be questions over whether people reporting being raped, beaten, shot at, or robbed by police officers may themselves have an ulterior agenda.

This study has, however, found that there is a great deal of corroboration between the nature of the allegations and convictions reported in the Media and:

I. The nature of the allegations and often, convictions reported by the ICD
2. The nature of charges laid with the SAPF itself

The Institute is therefore of the opinion that media reports on the involvement of the police in serious and violent crimes fit into a general pattern of behaviour corroborated both by ICD reports and in charges laid with the SAPF.

It is important to reiterate that in cases involving crimes committed by the police, the likelihood of the crime being reported or prosecuted successfully is questionable. As previously noted, victims who know or suspect that the offenders are policemen may be too scared to report the crime. Even where the crime is reported, the registration of the report and any investigation will often be handled by colleagues of the alleged perpetrators.

It is, for that reason alone, necessary to pay attention to the large number of media reports citing the police's alleged involvement in serious and violent crime even where no conviction or even formal charges were ever recorded against the police officers in question.

Nature of the incidents

A number of incidents involved police officers in uniform, using state vehicles, and often on duty. Where firearms were involved, these were almost always the official service weapons issued to the officers implicated in the occurrences.

Of the 100 incidents approximately 40 related to murders. In approximately 30 of these it is reported that police issued service weapons were used. The other murders arose from alleged assaults by police officers or torture of suspects in police custody. In more than 10 of the cases the victim was the spouse or partner of a police officer.

Among the 100 cases the Institute examined, more than 10 robberies and attempted robberies involving police officers were identified. These included violent house robberies, robberies of businesses, and even cash in transit heists that were alleged or confirmed as perpetrated by members of the South African Police Force.

Rapes accounted for just under 20 of the 100 incidents. In almost every incident the police officer sought to use his official status to force the women in question to submit to his sexual demands. In certain cases women were raped after being arrested or while in police custody.

Other cases included serious thefts, frauds, dealing in arms and explosives, and in four cases ATM bombings that were linked to the police.

The failure of disciplinary action

Considering the case with which the Institute was able to identify the 100 incidents, and also considering that 75% of them were first reported in 2009 and early 2010, this report expected to find an equally large number of reports of the successful conviction of police officers. This was not the case.

This report analysed statistics from the ICD's 2008/09 Annual Report. Later information has recently become available too late to be incorporated into this report. That data, however, broadly reflects the same trends seen in the 2008/09 report. For example, in 2008/09, 378 assaults were reported to the ICD as having been committed by police officers. However, in the same period, only six policemen were successfully prosecuted for such assaults -just 1.58% of the number of cases reported to the ICD. As a second example, also in 2008/09, 828 serious assaults were reported to the ICD as having been committed by police officers. However, in the same period, only six policemen were successfully prosecuted for such assaults a figure of 0.72%.

Note that the figures of 1.58% and 0.72% are arrived at by dividing the number of reports made to the ICD for any single year by the number of convictions for that year. The police may argue that reports made, and charges laid, in 2008/09 would not necessarily have been concluded by the end of that year. However, they would have to acknowledge that convictions recorded in any particular year would also relate to charges laid in previous years. The very low conviction figures for police officers implicated in serious crimes therefore suggest serious shortcomings and even abuse of the prosecutorial process when it is applied to police officers, who are often familiar to prosecutors.

The table below shows the number of offences reported against police officers and the number of successfully prosecuted charges for 2008/09 by crime category.

TABLE

Overall findings

The following points emerge from the available data and information:

The first is that allegations of policemen involved in perpetrating serious and violent crimes are not simply isolated incidents. They fit into a general pattern of allegations that is common across the country.

The second is that the problem of criminality involving the police does not simply relate to corruption. It would appear that police officers are often alleged to be active participants in serious and violent crimes as audacious as ATM bombings and house robberies. The police therefore face the problem not just of rooting out corrupt officers but also of identifying and eliminating criminals within their ranks.

The third is that the police's occasional defence that ‘people committing crimes in police uniforms are not necessarily policemen' is unconvincing in many cases. From the 100 cases, a great many incidents are cited, where policemen on duty, in uniform, and/or driving state vehicles are alleged to have committed crimes often with their service weapons.

The fourth is that the South African Police Force may need to do considerably more to act against, not just corruption, but also violent criminality within its ranks. The police may respond by claiming that they already do this. But the very low criminal conviction rates cited earlier, when viewed against the large number of incidents reported, suggest that this is not always the case.

The fifth is that the number of violent crimes perpetrated by the police is probably somewhat larger than those reported here and those reported to the police. As long as the police remain responsible for investigating their own colleagues, this creates a breeding ground for complicity and the likelihood of an increase in conviction rates remains low. So too does the likelihood that victims of police criminality would be willing to come forward to report incidents.

The sixth is the question of how South Africa can successfully defeat its very high violent crime rates when the people responsible for fighting crime are far too often alleged to be responsible for some of that crime. This is obviously a rhetorical question and goes a long way to explain why poor communities often settle for vigilantism while wealthier communities are today protected by phalanxes of armed guards.

Policy proposals

The Institute believes that Government should consider some of the following interventions:

The first is that police officers in South Africa operate under substantial stress. South Africa's murder rates are eight times higher than those of the United States and 20 times higher than those of many western countries. South African policemen and women are therefore far more regularly exposed to brutal and gratuitous violence than would be the case if they worked in many other parts of the world. It would not be surprising to learn that their own violent behaviour may first and foremost be a product of the very violent world that they inhabit.

This report therefore has great sympathy for the position that many ordinary police officers find themselves in and must caution very strongly against the media, politicians, and other groups tarring all officers with tile same brush. It is this report's contention that it will not be possible to properly address the problem of violence within the police's ranks without paying close attention to, and having great sympathy for, the circumstances they are forced to confront every day.

Statistics show that many police officers commit suicide. Existing programs for the debriefing of officers who have experienced traumatic incidents may be inadequate, partly because they are voluntary. A survey of the extent of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in police ranks is an important policy intervention that the Government should consider in dealing with the problem of police brutality and criminality. Equally, it is an important benchmark against which the provision of expanded psychological counselling services could be assessed.

The second is that levels of discipline and command and control in the police appear to be low. It is primarily internal respect for the chain of command that exercises order over any armed force. Where this order breaks down the chain of command must also have broken down. Fixing the police will therefore require fixing discipline, which will in turn require re-establishing respect for the chain of command. There are a number of ways of doing this:

· One is to ensure that trade unions associated with the police are not able to usurp or undermine the disciplinary powers of senior officers.

• Another is to hold senior officers responsible for criminal behaviour within the police stations/units under their control. Such conditions could be written into their employment contracts. Basic corporate governance and management principles could be adapted here to fit the peculiar nature of police work.

The third is to re-invigorate an inspectorate division of the police to ensure that basic standards of dress and discipline are maintained. Here Bheki Cele's repeated insistanee on high standards of dress, behaviour, and fitness in the police is to be welcomed. Surprise inspections of shifts, units, and police stations that would result in immediate disciplinary steps being taken against errant officers is one option. Ultimately however, the police's senior management will need to regain confidence from their members. Here political leaders have the responsibility to ensure that the force's top leadership is worthy of such respect. The fact that in recent years both a former national police commissioner and a metropolitan police chief were separately standing trial for corruption and drunken driving suggests that political decisions about who should lead the police have done ordinary police officers a great disservice.

The fourth is that the Government should review the resources available to the ICD. It is likely that with expanded resources such as adequate staff and funding, this important body could do considerably more to investigate complaints brought against the police.

The fifth is to expand the authority of the ICD and place it under a new parent ministry, possibly the Department of Justice (DOJ), to which it would report. The South African Police Act stipulates that the ICD may ‘mero motu (upon free will) or upon receipt of a complaint', make an investigation into police crimes or misconduct. Section 54 requires the ICD to table a written report in Parliament, through the minister of police, detailing its activities in a particular financial year.

However, this does not demand accountability from the parties to whom the ICD may have made recommendations. The ICD could therefore be given the authority to make its proposals and recommendations binding on the police and the National Prosecuting Authority. This could be done by amending existing legislation so that the police and the NPA are bound to implement ICD recommendations or provide detailed and satisfactory explanations on why they chose not to do so.

The Cabinet‘s approval of' the Civilian Secretariat for Police Bill on 15th June 2010 is encouraging in this regard. Although perhaps not going as far as the policy changes recommended in this report, the bill proposes to restructure the existing secretariat, established under section 208 of the Constitution, so that it is independent of the SAPS It is currently headed by the secretary of police. The secretariat will monitor, assess, and evaluate police performance so as to provide advice and support to the minister of police. Amid prospects of a reinforced oversight function, it remains to be seen whether this secretariat will strengthen the authority of the IC'D.

The sixth is to establish a new investigative agency, also under the Department of Justice. The ICD is to a certain extent reactive because it relies significantly on lodged complaints in order for it to pursue investigations. This new agency would be tasked with working proactively as a ‘hunter force' to infiltrate police stations and actively root out criminal officers. The very presence of such an agency within the ranks of the police should itself do a great deal to deter criminal behaviour. It would have its own team of investigators who, besides undertaking proactive investigations, would also attend to complaints laid through the ICD. The agency's powers would be such that its recommendations would have to be pursued satisfactorily by the police or the NPA. If not, detailed and reasonable justifications would need to be provided.

Also on 15th June 2010, the Cabinet approved the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Bill. The bill seeks to address the aforementioned issues of the ICD's authority and independence. This too is an encouraging development in the attempt to address problems relating to the organisation perceived impotence. If enacted, the bill will repeal the provisions of the South African Police Service Act relating to the ID. As noted in the ICD's 2008/0 9 annual report, the SAPF is ‘the custodian ‘of the SAPS Act and this is a challenge to any efforts aimed at strengthening the ICD's power and autonomy. Ultimately, the JD would be known as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. According to the Government, ‘the rationale behind the name change is to brand the directorate as a body which functions independently from the police service and whose focus is to conduct investigations of offences by a police member, rather than merely receiving complaints ‘. Here too, it remains to be seen whether a proactive and authoritative directorate would be able to ensure that its proposals are followed through and result in an increased number of appropriate punishments and/or convictions.

Case summaries

Rapes

Research identified 18 incidents of rape allegations against and/or convictions of police officers.

On 6th April 2010, the ICD reported the investigation of a Free State policeman on charges of rape. Constable Vuyani Alfred Peter (32) was accused of raping his ex-girlfriend. According to ICD spokesman Moses Ndlovu, Peter, who was attached to Ventersburg SAPS visited his ex-girlfriend at her home in Phahameng, Free State. This was around 12.3Opm on 4th April 2010. He allegedly forced himself on her after she had come from taking a bath. She reported the matter to the police and he was apprehended on the same day. He appeared at the Henneman Magistrate's Court on 6th April 2010.

On 26th March 2010, the ICD reported the arrest of a constable (27) for rape. The constable, who was based at the Maokeng Detective Unit in the Free State, was alleged to have raped his 17-year-old biological sister. According to ICD spokesman Moses Dlamini, the alleged rape took place at the constable's grandmother's house in Constantia Park, Kroonstad on 19th March 2010. It was further alleged that the constable had raped his sister on various occasions in 2009. He appeared in the Kroonstad Magistrate's Court on 25th March 2010. He appeared on 29th March 2010 for a formal bail hearing.

On the 17th of February 2010, the ICD issued a statement confirming the arrest of a 28- year-old constable for rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). According to ICD spokesperson Moses Dlamini, the victim (30) from Ficksburg went looking for her boyfriend with whom she had quarrelled earlier, to collect their house keys. It was about 2am on 14th February 2010 when she walked down a street in Bohiokong Township in Bethlehem, Free State. An unknown male driver warned her that it was unsafe to be on the street at that hour and offered to help her look for her boyfriend. He persuaded her to call her boyfriend from public phones in town since the ones in the township did not take coins. On the way, he allegedly stopped at a scrap yard and pepper sprayed her and then got out of the car to urinate. When she tried to escape, the constable assaulted and raped her. After threatening her, he took her to her boyfriend who identified him as a policeman. He was arrested by the ICD and appeared at the Bethlehem Magistrate's Court on 16th February 2010.

On 14th February 2010, the ICD reported a rape, intimidation and attempted murder investigation. This was after an incident leading to the arrest and detention of a senior superintendent based at the Provincial Commissioner's office at Bainsvlei Police Station in Bloemfontein. According to the ICD, the superintendent arrived at Deneysville Police Station Barracks, also in the Free State, on 11th February 2010 at about 8pm. There, he allegedly threatened a 32- year-old station clerk with his firearm. After forcing the woman into his car, he drove towards Vereeniging Road and onto an open field, where he ordered her to undress. He allegedly raped her on the bonnet of the car and later, on a pavement. Afterwards, he took her back to the police station and left. He was arrested on 12th February 2010 and appeared at the Sasolburg Magistrate's Court on 15th February 2010.

On 9th February 2010, the Cape limes reported that a 32-year-old guest house owner had accused a Knysna policeman of raping her while his colleague held her down. According to police spokesman Malcolm Pojie, the woman had been to a restaurant to celebrate her birthday. She later left the restaurant after an argument with her friends. When she saw a police car along the main road towards Plettenberg Bay, she asked for a lift home. The two officers in the car allegedly agreed to help her but however, raped her. At the time of print, an ID parade was on schedule in an effort to identify the suspects. One officer was due to face rape charges while the other would be charged as an accomplice.

On 8th February 2010, the ICD reported the arrest of a Sasolburg Station Commissioner for raping and assaulting a volunteer. According to ICD spokesperson Moses Diamini, the incident occurred at the Sasolburg Police Station in the Free State on 25th February 2010. The accused, Director Nghondzweni, allegedly asked the woman to type something for him in his office. He then allegedly locked the door and raped her. A report was made on 7th February and Nghondzweni was arrested on 8th February. He was released on R2000 bail and appeared in court on 8th March 2010.

On 30th December 2009, the Independent Online reported the appearance in court of a policeman on rape charges. The policeman, stationed at Jansenville Police Station in the Eastern Cape, was alleged to have raped a 15-year-old girl. According to Inspector Gary Van Rooyen, the girl left a Jansenville tavern with the policeman on 27th December 2009. He took her to a rugby field where he raped her and severely assaulted her. He was arrested and appeared at the Jansenville Magistrate's Court.

On 6th December 2009, The Times reported the suspension of a Public Order Policing inspector from Silverglen in Chatsworth, Durban. pending the outcome of rape charges. According to Point police spokesman Captain Thembeka Mbele, the alleged rape took place during the Launch of Summer 2009 party at uShaka Wet ii' Wild. The inspector went to drop his son off, together with the girl (16), and two other female friends. Along the way, the four teenagers drank alcohol in the car. On arrival, the other three went on to the party while the girl remained sleeping in the vehicle. Then the officer allegedly drove to another spot where the rape took place. Afterwards, she reported the attack at Point Police Station. The policeman (44) was released on R5000 bail at the Durban Magistrate's Court. He was not named as he had not pleaded.

On 24th November 2009, the Independent Online reported the appearance of a policeman accused of rape in the Mthatha Magistrate's Court. According to police spokesman Superintendent Mzukisi Fatyela, the officer (40) was based at Mthatha Central Police Station in the Eastern Cape. He allegedly took a woman prisoner awaiting trial out of her cell and raped her in one of the offices at the police station. He appeared in court on 27th November 2009.

On 15th November 2009, the Sunday Times reported a delay in the prosecution of police officers who allegedly abducted, raped, and abandoned their victim, Martie Olivier. According to reporter Werner Swart, Olivier's husband Sarel was arrested for a traffic violation on 24th October 2009. He was taken to Kempton Park Police Station in a police van. A policeman took Sarel's place behind the steering wheel next to the latter's wife. Following Sarel's release 30 minutes after arriving at the station, his wife told him that she had been raped. Apart from Olivier's bleeding, her lawyer stated that medical reports compiled after the incident indicated that the Witbank woman had been raped. At the time of going to press, no further action had been taken.

On 10th November 2009, the Pretoria News reported an incident in which a woman was raped by a police officer in Rustenburg, North West, on 29th September 2009. The policeman was arrested along with his three colleagues three weeks following the start of an ICD investigation. This was after the four policemen allegedly refused to appear in an identification parade. According to the 29-year-old woman, she was arrested on charges of stealing her former fiancé's fishing rods. The charges were dropped following morning at the Rustenburg Magistrate's Court. Earlier, a policeman had told her to organise R200 and put it in a packet of soup if she did not want to be attacked in her cell. Then two of her female cellmates were transferred to another police station, leaving her alone. When she asked to go to the toilet at around 8pm. a policeman went into her cell and raped her. She laid a charge at Tihabane Police Station in Rustenburg but could not get help when she revealed that the accused was a police officer. She also tried reporting her case at the Hercules Police Station in Pretoria, near her home and was told to go to the district surgeon for a medical report. Once again she was turned away and finally got help from the Netcare 911 Akasia Hospital where she was put on antiretroviral medication. The woman and her lawyer, Delia De Vries expressed their frustration at the way in which the case was being handled by the ICD.

On 28th October 2009 The Citizen reported an investigation by the ICD into allegations of rape, assault, and intimidation. According to the paper, a police constable in Kimberly, Northern Cape, visited his ex-wife to see their children. It was alleged that he did so while under the influence of alcohol. An argument ensued between the two during which he forced her into a room and assaulted her. He then attempted to strangle her and then raped her without using a condom. His ex-wife alleged that he threatened to kill her if she told anyone and then unsuccessfully tried to burn her bedding. ICD spokesman Moses Dlamini said the victim confided in her pastor and a friend, leading to the constable's arrest and detention. She underwent required medical examinations and the constable appeared in court on the date of print.

On 28th October 2009, The Citizen reported an investigation into allegations of rape, bribery, and assault by police officers in Kempton Park, outside Johannesburg. This was after a couple reported having been stopped by a police van in Birch Acres, Gauteng. Two men in police uniform allegedly forced their door open and dragged the man out of the car. They took R400 from his wife allegedly in exchange for her husband's release but did not let him loose. One officer drove the couple's car for about 200 metres and then allegedly raped the woman. She was later taken to Kempton Park Police Station where her husband was being held. After telling him what happened, a charge was laid and the investigation was initiated.

On 26th September 2009, New s24.com reported that two police sergeants had been charged with rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault. According to police spokesperson Superintendent Motarafi Ntepe, the two sergeants were identified by their victims at an identity parade in QwaQwa, Free State. The officers were alleged to have been helping a pair of 15-year-old girls to serve summons on their older sister. This was in relation to a social grant she was receiving on their behalf, from which they had not benefited. After the court order had been delivered, the two policemen took the girls back to the police station. This was on the pretext that there was an emergency that they had to attend to. One officer raped one of the girls while his colleague attempted to rape the second. Medical results showed evidence of sexual assault.

On 12th May 2009, the Daily News reported that a 33-year-old constable had been granted bail in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court in KwaZulu-Natal on charges of rape. This was after he was accused of raping a 14-year-old Grade 8 pupil. According to reporter Irene Kuppan, the officer allegedly went to the girl's home in response to a burglary case reported by her grandmother. There he allegedly threatened her with a firearm and raped her twice. He later handed himself over to police soon after realising that she had laid a charge against him. In his defence, the officer insisted that the pupil was his girlfriend and that they had had consensual sex. Furthermore, he claimed he had no knowledge that she was under the age of 16 as she had allegedly told him that she was 18. Magistrate Omprakash Ramlakhan granted him R5 000 bail and ordered him to appear in court on 26th June 2009.

On 27th November 2008, the ICD reported that a rape case had been re-opened against Zaaiplas Station Commissioner Captain Alfred Potlane Mamogobo (38). The original case was opened on 17th October 2003 by Linki Ntuli (20) at the Motetema Police Station in Limpopo. According to ICD spokesperson Dekeledi Phiri, Ntuli was later shot dead on 16th March 2004. A murder case was opened at Hlogo Tlou Police Station amid speculation that Ntuli had died as a result of not withdrawing the case. Mamogobo was found guilty of Ntuli's rape at the Iebowakgomo Regional Court on 25 November 2008. He was sentenced to 12 years in jail.

On 24th December 2007, the City Press reported the sentencing of an Eastern Cape sergeant to 10 years imprisonment. This was after he was found guilty of raping his 13- year-old stepdaughter. According to State Prosecutor Ilse De Friendt, the sergeant was arrested on 25th October 2007, a day after the incident. The rape took place at his home in Algoa Park, Port Elizabeth, when his wife was away at a funeral in Steinberg, KwaZuluN atal. His stepdaughter was asleep with his mother when he dragged the girl into another room and locked the door. He threatened to either stab or rape his mother when she tried to intervene. The sergeant's mother could not get help because all the doors in the house had also been locked. The following morning, she took the girl to the police and made a report. A warrant of arrest was issued for the girl's mother who did not appear in court as instructed. De Friendt said the girl's mother had allegedly told a social worker of her intention to withdraw the case. This was because she feared losing financial support. The man was not named to maintain the minor victim's anonymity.

On 15th February 2004, the City Press reported that two Mpumalanga police officers had been arrested for raping a Secunda woman. According to Captain Sibongile Nkosi, the two officers stationed at Trichardt Police Station in Mpumalanga. allegedly raped a woman at 3.30am after stopping her at a traffic light. They accused the woman (26) of driving under the influence of alcohol. Instead of taking her to the police station, they raped her. The two appeared in court on 16th February 2004.

Murders and attempted murders

Research identified 43 incidents of murder and attempted murder allegations against and/or convictions of police officers.

On 9th April 2010, the Sowetan reported the arrest of four police officers for murder. The officers included one warrant officer and three constables. They were based at the Roodepoort Police Station in Gauteng. Their arrest was in connection with the death of Sibusiso Molefe (23) of Tshepisong, Roodepoort. Molefe was arrested by the aforesaid officers at about 1 2.3Oam on 3rd April 2010. According to Molefe's father Jerry Zulu, the arrest was in connection with an incident where a woman was shot. However, ICD spokesperson Moses Dlamini said Molefe was arrested over an armed robbery. Molefe was assaulted and died at about 2.3oam on the way to hospital. The four officers appeared at the Roodepoort Magistrates Court on 9th April. Roodepoort police spokesman Constable Vincent Mashiteng confirmed the death but would not name the deceased.

On 8th April 2010, The Star reported that a policeman had killed his wife and committed suicide. Khabonina Legote (32) was fatally shot by her husband on 6th April in Snake Park, Soweto. On 7th April, he was found dead by a colleague at his home in Kagiso, Krugersdorp, Gauteng. He had a gunshot wound to his head. According to Legote's mother,
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Rachel Khumalo, the couple fought constantly but would reconcile after a few days. Khumalo said her daughter used to come home with scars after being assaulted by her husband, a West Rand police officer. On the day of the shooting, he visited her at her parent's home. About 5 minutes after the couple had walked out together, Khumalo heard gunshots and went to investigate. She found her daughter bleeding and trying to run. Legote told her mother that her husband had shot her in the head and then died. The husband, who had sped off, called Khumalo confirming that he had shot Legote. Speculation was that the April 6 incident was caused by jealousy.
On 4th April 2010, the Independent Online reported that a police constable had shot his wife and then killed himself in Paarl East, Western Cape. According police spokesperson Warrant Officer November Filander, police were called to the constable's home in Groenheuwel, Paarl East. They found the bodies of the 35-year-old officer and his wife. He had been shot on the right side of his head and she, on the right side under her chin. The constable's service pistol was found next to him. Neighbours alleged that they had heard the couple fighting before hearing two shots being fired. An inquest and murder docket was opened. The names of the deceased had not been released at the time of print.
On 2nd April 2010, The Mercury reported that a KwaZulu-Natal police constable had committed suicide before being arrested on charges of murder. Constable Vincent Zulu (33) was found dead in police barracks in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal. He had a bullet wound on his chest and his service firearm was next to him. According to the ICD, Zulu and his four colleagues were being investigated for the kidnapping and murder of Lungani Biyela. ICD spokesman Moses Dlamini said Biyela had been arrested in Melmoth, KwaZuluN atal, on charges of murder. A police report alleged that he had asked to urinate and one of his hands had been uncuffed. He had then allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot at the police. They also allegedly returned fire, fatally wounding him. The ICD made arrangements to arrest the officers but the information was leaked. This had apparently led Zulu's suicide.

· On 4th March 2010, the ICD reported the arrest of three police officers at the Knysna Police Station for murder. The arrest followed the death of Mr Tom Meyer (52) from Rheedendal near Knysna in the southern Cape. Mr Meyer was assaulted at the scene of his arrest on 28th February 2010 and further assaulted at the police station for alleged possession of dagga. Constables Moos (33), Klein (28) and Student Reservist Van Rooyen (23) were charged with Meyer's murder and appeared at the Knysna Magistrate's Court.

· On 22nd February 2010, the Independent Online reported that the ICD was investigating three policemen for allegedly assaulting a man who later died. According to Mthatha police captain Zamukulungisa Jozana, an officer and his two colleagues abducted the man from his home in Matyengqina in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. They took him to a bridge where they assaulted him and left him there. He managed to crawl back to his house and alerted his neighbour of the assault. That night, he died in his sleep and his body was discovered in the morning. A case of murder was opened for investigation.

· On 14th February 2010, the ICD reported the arrest of a detective constable based at Heidedal Police Station in the Free State for attempted murder. According to ICD spokesman Moses Dlamini, the detective solicited the services of a prostitute on I I th February 2010. After getting into the police vehicle he was driving, she insisted that they go to her place of residence. I-Ic refused and drove off in an opposite direction. A struggle ensued and the car veered off the road. The prostitute escaped and the detective shot at her but missed. She managed make a report at the Navalsig Police Station in Bloemfontein and

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a docket was registered. Two spent cartridges and a bullet were recovered at the scene of the incident. The detective was arrested on 12th February 2010 after positive identification by the prostitute. He was detained at the Bainsvlei Police Station and appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on 15th February 2010.
On 8th February 2010, the ICD reported the conviction of former Constable Njinga Richman Chili for murder. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison at the Ndwedwe Regional Court in KwaZulu-Natal and subsequently dismissed from the police service. According to ICD national spokesman, Moses Dlamini, Chili attended a house party in the Inanda Mission area in KwaZulu-Natal on 16th November 2008. There, he had an argument with an unidentified male in which the deceased, Bheki Xulu (41) intervened. Xulu later called Chili aside so they could talk. After a brief discussion, Chili produced his service pistol and shot a seated Xulu three times. He then walked out to the police station. His defence that Xulu had tried to rob and stab him was rejected in court.

On 5th February 2010, the Sowetan reported the arrest of a Germiston flying squad inspector for murder and armed robbery. According to Captain Julia Klaasen, a hawker was shot dead for his money box at Bruma Lake flea market in Gauteng. Klaasen said witnesses saw three men overpower the Egyptian hawker who had just come out of a store. He was shot by one of the suspects but community members apprehended one of them. who turned out to be the inspector. His accomplice handed himself over to police. The two were held at Norwood Police Station in Johannesburg while the third man was reported to be still at large.

On 2nd February 2010 the Independent Online reported that a 44-year-old Free State police sergeant had been arrested for murder and rape. This followed the discovery of a partially naked unidentified woman's body under his bed. According to Sergeant Mmako Mophiring of the Phuthadithaba police, the alarm was raised by his nine-year-old daughter. She had seen a human leg protruding from beneath the bed and called her mother. When the girl's mother arrived, she woke her husband but he became aggressive. She ran and informed her neighbours, who were also off-duty police officers. The police and ICD officials attended the scene and the sergeant was arrested. A post mortem was conducted and the sergeant appeared at the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates Court in the Free State.

On 21St January 2010, the Cape Times reported that a policeman stationed at the Cape Town's VIP Unit protecting had committed suicide after going on a deadly shooting spree. Zamumzi Mbewu (35) was off duty when he wounded two men and hijacked three vehicles. According to Mbewu's younger brother Phindile, he had recently been arrested for assaulting his wife Nontsikelelo (28). Mbewu was released from the Philippi Magistrate's Court in Cape Town but continued to threaten his wife. Police spokesperson Ntomboxolo Sitshitshi confirmed that Mbewu's wife had previously lodged a complaint of assault against him. Later Mbewu, in the company of three other men, abducted his wife and their two-year-old son outside a Philippi crèche. He killed her and left her body in the vehicle at his friend's house in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. His mother Primrose (58) said he had told her of the murder and then left after asking her to look after his son. According to his mother-in-law Mavis Sokutu, Nombewu had called her two days before the murder and told her of his intentions.

On 19th January 2010, News 24.com reported the court appearance of a policeman and his wife for allegedly beating two men to death. According to police spokesman Inspector Dumile Gwavu. Sergeant Vuyani Jindela (33), his wife Ntombiziyanda (32) and their neighbour Sipho Mpayise (33), allegedly killed the men with stones, bricks and broomsticks. Both men were suspected of breaking into the Jindela house on 1 7th December 2010. At the time, the Jindelas were away on holiday. They found the two men after receiving a tip-off regarding their whereabouts. One man died on the scene while the other died at Livingstone Hospital in the Eastern Cape. The couple and Mpayise were arrested and appeared before the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court.

On 14th January 2010, The limes reported that five Cape Town police officers had been arrested for attempted murder and armed robbery. According to the paper, the four constables and an inspector were based at Kraaifontein Police Station. They allegedly participated in a shooting at a home in Wallacedene, Cape Town on 31st December 2009 where one person was injured. Police spokesman Captain Gerhard Niemand said shots were fired by people in police uniform. Ammunition linked to the crime was later found on one of the officers following a raid at his home. The rest were subsequently arrested and appeared at the Blue Downs Magistrate's Court in Cape Town.

On 2nd January 2010, The Independent on Saturday reported that a police constable had been arrested for murder. The incident took place at KwaBhokeni Township near White River, Mpumalanga. According to Captain Leonard Hlathi, the constable (33) visited a house where his neighbours were drinking alcohol. An argument erupted at around 6am and he opened fire, killing a 41-year-old man.

On 29th December 2009, the Daily News reported an incident in which a policeman attacked his fiancée and then killed himself in Pietermaritzburg. KwaZulu-Natal. Police spokesman Superintendent Henry Budhram said police were called to the home of police administration clerk Thabisile Dlamini (26) in Taylor's Halt, KwaZulu-Natal. Dlamini was found lying on the ground outside her house with three gunshot wounds on her upper body. A kilometre away from the house, police found the body of Diamini's fiancé, Philani Mbhele (38). Mbhele, of the SAPS Protection and Security Services, had been shot once in the head. His 9mm service pistol was found next to him. According to Diamini's mother, the couple were arguing at home on 27th December 2009. They went out of the house where three gunshots were heard. Dlamini's mother found her daughter seriously wounded and called an ambulance at around 7.3Opm. At the time of print, she was still in a critical condition. Budhram said the motive behind the incident had yet to be established.

On 24th of December 2009, The Times reported that a policeman had been denied bail in a murder case. He appeared at the Howick Magistrate's Court in KwaZulu-Natal on charges of killing a retired government official. Warwick Doming (55) was murdered on 7th November 2009 at his farm in Adamshurst near Howick. He was in the kitchen when his wife was confronted by a gang of robbers in her bedroom. One member of the gang shot Doming in the head but his wife was unhurt. A DSTV decoder, two cell phones and a video player were stolen. Charges against the policeman, Inspector Michael Sokhela included murder, aggravated robbery and defeating the ends of justice. Sokhela's accomplices, Welcome Madlala (34) and Miungisi Hadebe (24) pleaded guilty. They were sentenced to life pIus 15 years for robbery. Sokhela was found in possession of the Dornings' property taken during the robbery. Magistrate V B Zwane took into account that Sokhela was duty- bound to bring any crime to the attention of the police.

On 22nd December 2009, News24.com reported the dismissal of a policewoman from the police service after being arrested for murder. According to Captain Mali Govender, Busisiwe Cwala (29) shot her boyfriend Xolani Tikulu (30), twice on the upper body. Port Alfred Prosecutor Tikulu was gunned down on 6th September 2009. The shooting took place at the home he shared with Cwala in Nemato, Eastern Cape. She then arranged for neighbours to watch over their I 8-month-old son while she waited to be arrested. She was granted R2 000 bail at the Port Alfred Magistrate's Court and was due to appear again on 28 January 2010.

On 11th December 2009, the Independent Online reported the arrest of a 22-year-old traffic officer for murder. This was after he shot one Sihie Ndlovu (32) in Greytown, KwaZuluN atal over an argument about money. According to Inspector Joy Jeevan, Ndlovu was sitting in a bar talking to the traffic officer about money. The officer left the premises and returned with a gun. He fired at Ndlovu and narrowly missed leading to the latter taking to flight. The officer fired again and seriously wounded Ndlovu, who later died in hospital. On 22nd November 2009, the ICD reported the arrest of an SAPS constable for murder. According to the ICD. on 18th November 2009, the constable from Stcinkopf Police Station in the Western Cape was attending to a complaint in which a school girl wanted pocket money from her father. He accompanied her to the house of Mr Clive Heyn where it was thought her father was. There, they were told that the girl's father had already left. After leaving for about five minutes, the constable returned and enquired about the whereabouts of the girl's father again. Mr Heyn responded that he did not know and an argument ensued. The constable assaulted Mr Heyn with an open hand once in the face and the latter retaliated. It is alleged that Mr Heyn told the constable to leave and threatened to stab him if he returned. The suspect then went to the police vehicle, retrieved a firearm and went back to Mr Heyn. He allegedly fired two shots at Mr Heyn who fell. He fired another three shots at him while he was down. Mr Heyn died on the scene and the constable proceeded to threaten the deceased's family members. He was arrested after fleeing the scene.

On 18th November 2009, the independent Online reported that two constables were in court for murder. They appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court for allegedly killing a street vendor. ICD spokesman Moses Dlamini said the constables would be in custody until the court ruling. On 1St November 2009. they were allegedly drunk and ate foodstuffs at a fruit vendor's cart. After refusing to pay, they tried to head for the police barracks in Pretoria at around 3.4Oam. A fight ensured between the off-duty officers and the vendor. He overpowered them and hit one of the constables with a bottle on the head. The constable then went to retrieve his service pistol at the barracks and fatally shot the vendor twice.

On 11th November 2009, the ICD released a statement on the sentencing of Constable Cedric Vries to 15 years in prison for murder. Constable Vries was attached to the Crime Intelligence Unit in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. According to the ICD, he fatally wounded his girlfriend in July 2006 in front of the police station in Ladysmith. He then attempted to commit suicide by shooting himself in the head. However, he survived and was convicted in the Ezakheni Regional Court following a full ICD investigation.

On 9th November 2009, The Star reported that a 51-year-old policeman had been arrested on charges of attempted murder. This after he went into a fit of road rage and shot a minibus taxi driver in Dobsonville, Soweto. According to Inspector Kay Makhubele, the off-duty policeman from Moroka Police Station in Soweto was driving his vehicle on the Doornkop/Dobsonville Road. The cause of the quarrel is not clear but the taxi driver in front of him reportedly stopped his vehicle. He went to the officer's vehicle and assaulted him with a knobkerrie. The officer allegedly retaliated and shot the 28-year-old taxi driver in the left thigh. The taxi driver lost a lot of blood and went into a coma. The officer appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court in the West Rand, Gauteng.

On 9th November 2009, the ICD issued a statement reporting the sentencing of a police constable to 15 years for murder. This followed an investigation launched in July 2007 by the ICD. The reserve constable was based at Jouberton SAPS in the North West. According to ICD spokesman, Moses Dlamini, the constable fatally shot his then girlfriend in the head on 17th July 2007. She died on the scene of the crime. After the ICD investigation. the matter was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for prosecution. The accused appeared before the Klerksdorp High Court from 26th to 29th October 2009 when he was sentenced.

On 2nd November 2009, The Star reported that a Metro policeman Ekurhuleni in Gauteng's East Rand had fatally shot his girlfriend. ER24 spokesman Werner Vermaak said the woman was shot five times in the chest and abdomen at the Tom Jones off ramp in Benoni, Gauteng. Paramedics who were at the off-ramp noticed commotion in the vehicle in front of them. On inspection they found the woman who showed no signs of life. Immediately, they initiated CPR but an hour later, she was declared dead. According to Benoni police spokesman Constable Godin Nyathi, when the woman was shot there was a five-year-old child in the car. The child was traumatised but not injured. Nyathi said the policeman had fled the scene and was still at large.

On 29th October 2009, the Independent Online reported that a traffic officer from Koster in the North West had been arrested for murder and attempted murder. Police spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said the 39-year-old officer was arrested at Silwerkrans after shooting at the police. The officer, stationed at Koster was allegedly shot and killed his 30-year-old girlfriend during an argument at around 6pm on 22nd October. He also shot her 20-year- old sister in the arm with his service pistol and wounded her. He then fled but his car overturned on a gravel road between Madikwe and Groot Mariko, North West. Police found him via satellite tracking and only managed to convince him to surrender when back-up had arrived.

On 23rd October 2009, the ICD reported the sentencing of former Acting Commander of the Claremont Police Station in Durban to 24 years in prison for murder. Marius van der Westhuizen was sentenced on 22nd October 2009 for shooting and killing his children aged 12, 16 and 21. According to the ICD, he used his service pistol to brutally murder his children at his home in Brackenfell, KwaZulu Natal on 28th July 2006. This happened after a quarrel in which he told his wife to choose between him and his job. He was sentenced to 14 years for each murder and was compelled to serve 24 years.

On 20th September 2009, News24.com reported that two police officers had been convicted of murder and attempted murder. This was after they allegedly shot to death two unarmed teenagers. According to reporter Walter Ka Nkosi, Constables Charity Mthembu (28) and Mthunzi Mabila (31) from the KaNyamazane Police Station outside Neispruit in Mpumalanga, were on duty together when the incidents took place. Sifiso Shiba (18) was shot on 4th August 2003 and died at the Rob Ferreira Hospital in Nelspruit after hospital staff negligently failed to remove the bullet. On 30th December 2003, Tshepo Mokoena (19) was shot and killed on the spot. Mabila was sentenced to 10 years for attempted murder and 13 years for murder. Mthembu got 10 years for attempted murder and 15 years for murder. Both were sentenced in the Pretoria High Court.

On 14th September 2009, The Mercuiy reported that two policemen had been charged with four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. This was after a shooting at the Merseyside Pub and Tavern in the Queensmead Shopping Centre, KwaZulu Natal. The incident claimed the lives of Rory Mcnzies, Shawn Strydom, Johannes Jansen van Rcnsburg and Bruce Edwards. Edwards' son Shaun was also shot and injured. According to reporter Tania Broughton, a joke about penis sizes between two patrons of an Umbilo pub in Durban was the cause of the altercation that left the four dead. Brothers and Inspectors Samuel and Leon Steven appeared before the Durban High Court. Samuel Steven claimed that racial slurs were directed at one of his friends by white patrons. This led to an altercation in the parking lot. Wishing to leave, Samuel said he tried to go inside and fetch his brother. However the door was slammed in his face. He then heard a gunshot and drew his firearm.

On 9th September 2009, The Post reported that a Tongaat policeman had been arrested and charged in absentia at the Tongaat Magistrate's Court in KwaZulu-Natal. The charges included attempted murder, assault, defeating the ends ofjustice, firing shots in a built up area, and using a firearm under the influence of alcohol. This was after Inspector Devan Veeriah (36) from Belvedere, Western Cape, went on a shooting rampage. He fired I I shots, one of which hit a three-year-old boy. According to the boy's mother Selina Govender (22), Veeriah arrived at her home one night in the company of an unknown man. They demanded to see her boyfriend Lenny Naidoo (40). Her mother Rani asked them to leave as it was late. However, Naidoo woke up and an argument ensued before the two men left. Veeriah returned about 15 minutes later with his wife and began firing shots in the air and at the house. Rani opened the door and pleaded with him to leave. The boy, who was behind her, was struck on the knee. His uncle Devan (26) only noticed it an hour later because the boy had not cried. Police spokesman Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said Vecriah had tried to hand in his firearm without informing the Verularn Police Station, KwaZulu-Natal, what had happened.

On 3rd August 2009, the ICD reported that an inspector based at Esikhawini SAPS in KwaZulu-Natal had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for murder. According to the ICD, Shadrack Mhlongo shot and killed his wife, Zakhona Mthethwa on 7th June 2008. The SAPS reported the matter to the ICD which then instituted a full scale investigation. The investigation was finalised on 31St October 2008 after which the matter was taken to trial. An SAPS internal enquiry also found Mhlongo guilty of violating SAPS standing orders. He was duly dismissed from the service. Mhlongo was sentenced in the Esikhawini Regional Court on 28th July 2009.

On 16th July 2009, the Mail and Guardian reported that a blue-light VIP driver had been charged with six attempted murders and reckless driving. His passenger, SAPS constable Hianganani Nxumalo (29) allegedly shot the tyre of a Mazda vehicle. This caused it to swerve across the N3 highway and collide with an oncoming vehicle. According to his lawyer, constable Caiphus Xolani Ndlela (36) was charged with the attempted murders because he put Nxumalo in a position to shoot at the vehicle. Witnesses said the Mazda was shot because it failed to move out of the way of the police car. Six people were injured after the two shots fired caused the accident. The two constables appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court.

On 6th April 2009, the Mail and Guardian reported that fifteen members of the SAPS provincial crimes unit, based in Beilville South in the Western Cape were being investigated for murder. Sidwell Mkwambi (24) from Gugulethu, Cape Town died after being arrested in February with his friend, Siyabulela Ndlovu. The arrest was in connection with the shooting and injuring of two policemen in New Crossroads. According to the Mkwarnbi family lawyer, Likhaya Makana, the two were tortured and beaten in separate offices. A pathologist's report indicated that the deceased had died of injuries consistent with the ‘multiple blunt trauma' of the body. Statements made by Ndlovu detailed the events which allegedly led to Mkwambi's death. A senior officer was quoted by the newspaper as confirming incidents of police torture. At the time of going to press, the ICD was in the process of initiating an investigation.

On 5th October 2007, the City Press ran a story detailing the conviction of two police officers and a reservist in the Pretoria High Court. Judge Khami Makhafola sentenced Magiel Burger, Felokwane David Goqo and Joachim Prinsloo for the abduction and murder of Putco theft suspect Sandy Botomane seven years before. His mutilated body was found on the N 1 highway near Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg. This was after he was allegedly questioned in connection with a R1.2 million theft from Putco. According to evidence presented in court, Botomane failed a polygraph test and was in possession of an illegal ticket machine. Contrary to the evidence the submitted by the policemen, the judge ruled that there was no indication that the suspect was still alive when they last saw him. A fourth man, Henry Beukes, was acquitted due to lack of evidence against him.

On 1st of February 2006, the ICD reported the arrest of four police officers for alleged involvement in an incident of death at the SAPS Vaalbank, Mpumalanga. This first occurred on 15th December 2005 in Allenmans Drift, also in Mpumalanga, and claimed the life of James Johannes Malobola (23). According to the ICD. members of the SAPS arrested Malobola for contravening a protection order obtained by his girlfriend against him. Despite having been informed that he was mentally unstable, they assaulted him during arrest. It is further alleged that the officers stabbed him with a sharp steel bar all over his body while he was handcuffed. He died on 30th December 2005 at the Mamethiake Hospital in Mpumalanga. However, his family only became aware of his death at the time of the LCD investigation. A murder charge was laid.

On 6th March 2005, the City Press reported that four members of the Richards Bay Serious and Violent Crimes Unit in KwaZulu-Natal had been sentenced to 9 years in prison for one Vusumuzi Ngwenya's killing. According to reporter Sharika Regchand, Ngwenya died during interrogation at Empangeni Police Station in KwaZulu Natal in January 2002. His body was found 12 months later in a shallow grave. The officers had reportedly filed a report that he had escaped from custody. The state however, could not prove that the officers had killed Ngwenya intentionally. Scottburgh High Court circuit Judge Thumba Pillay sentenced Stefanus Maloney (30), Dhina Vandayar (32), l3heki Makatini (42), and Michael Cossa (37) to seven years in prison for culpable homicide. An additional four years were passed for defeating the ends ofjustice of which two ran concurrently. The coa ccused, Thembuyise DIadla (35), a member of the Empangeni Dog Unit, was jailed for three years for being an accessory.

On 6th October 2004 the ICD released a statement reporting the 15 year sentence of one Sergeant Tumelo Nyathi (37) for murder. He was stationed at SAPS Namahadi in the Free State province. According to the ICD, on I 3th June 2003, Nyathi went to a local tavern in the company of a friend. He had just gone off duty but was still in full uniform. There the sergeant had an argument with MrThabo Mzizi (25). He shot Mzizi three times, killing him instantly. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) accepted a recommendation by the ICD to prosecute for murder. Nyathi, who had four previous murder charge acquittals, was finally convicted on 5th October 2004 at the QwaQwa Regional Court, Free State.

On 20th February 2003, the ICD issued a media statement on the conviction of one lnspector Frans Duba for murder. Duba (38) was stationed at the SAPS Polokwane Criminal Record Centre in the Limpopo province. According to the ICD, Duba went to the house of Elias Morudu (43) to look for his wife. She was alleged to be having an affair with Morudu. On arrival, he broke the bedroom window and fired six shots into the room with his service pistol, killing Morudu instantly. He was sentenced to 21 years imprisonment in the Polokwane High Court on 19th February 2003.

On 12th November 2002, the ICD published a statement on the conviction of Reservist Constable Ronald Mannie (34). He was found guilty for the murder of Moses Makila (17) on 25th April 2001. According to ICD spokesperson Steve Mabona, the incident occurred at Galeshewe in the Northern Cape where Constable Mannie was stationed. During patrol duty, an argument ensued between the police and a group of boys who were found gambling. Mannie shot one of them, who later turned out to be Makila, with his service pistol. The shot hit him below the eye, instantly killing him. Mannie's 15 year sentence was handed down on 11th November 2002.

On 24th April 2002 the ICD reported that a constable, Randall Adonis (33) had been found guilty of murder. He was convicted at the Bellville Regional Court in the Western Cape on 23rd April 2003 for a shooting that occurred on 12th February 2000. The incident resulted in the death of Elchunik Pedro-Jappie (16). According to ICD spokesperson Steve Mabona, Adonis belonged to the Commuter Service Unit in Bellville, Cape Town. He had an argument with Pedro-Jappic at a tavern where they were drinking and shot him once in the stomach with his service pistol. Adonis received a 10 year sentence on 23rd April 2002 but was acquitted on the charge for attempted murder. A concurrent 12 month sentence was handed down for the pointing and discharging of a firearm in public under the influence of alcohol. In addition to the sentence, a departmental hearing confirmed his discharge from the service.

On 20th September 2001, the ICD reported the conviction of Sergeant Phillip Mokgoro for the murder of his wife in Kgapane, Northern Province (now Limpopo). According to the ICD, Mokgoro killed his wife on 14th September 2000 and put her in the sewerage. This he did after spending the night with her body in their bedroom. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison at the Tzaneen High Court in Limpopo on 19th September 2001.

On 29th March 2001 the ICD reported that one Sergeant M Z Gololo had been found guilty of murdering his wife. According to the ICD, Gololo killed his wife with a service firearm in July 2000. She had allegedly reported abuse by Gololo to the Station Commissioner of the Olifantsfontein Police Station in Gauteng. This was where he was stationed before moving to the Midrand Police Station. The conviction also included one count of pointing a firearm and 2 counts of intimidation. He was sentenced to an effective 20 years imprisonment at the Johannesburg High Court on 23rd March 2001.

On 8th February 2001, the Independent Online reported an incident in which a police inspector shot a colleague dead in Hillcrest, Durban. Inspector Jabulani Dlamini (31) appeared in the Durban High Court after shooting Sergeant Michael Mthiyane. According to evidence presented before the court, Mthiyane drove into the police station with his sister and girlfriend on 1st March 1998. As Dlamini was about to drive away in a patrol van, Mthiyane asked him to give the two women a lift. Diamini apparently refused and said he would not give a lift to ‘bitches'. A scuffle broke out between the two men and DIamini shot Mthiyane in the neck. Mthiyane ran away from the scene but collapsed and died a short distance away. Dlamini said Mthiyane had reached for his gun after his (Dlamini's) comment and that he had shot him in self defence. The court was of the opinion that he had used excessive force.

On 9th November 2000, British newspaper, The Guardia,, reported that six policemen were to appear in court in Pretoria on charges of attempted murder. This was after the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) showed a video of black prisoners being used as bait for police dogs. According to reporter Chris McGrcal, the minister of safety and security Mr Steve Tshwete ordered the arrest of the officers based at the North East Rand Police Dog Unit. The video had been shot two years before at an abandoned mine dump. It was presumably handed over to the SABC by another unnamed policeman. The victims, who were believed to be illegal immigrants, had police dogs set on them by the six accused. The dogs reportedly went for the sensitive body parts while the victims were being held down.

Robberies

Research identified 15 incidents of robbery allegations against, and/or convictions of police officers.

On 19th February 2010, the Daily News reported that two policemen had been linked to a cash-in-transit heist. According to Senior Superintendent Jay Naicker, two officers from Ladysmith and a security guard from Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal were arrested by members of the Newcastle Organised Crime Unit. They were charged with a robbery that occurred in an incident in Amersfoort, Mpumalanga on 3rd September 2009. They appeared in court on 26th February 2010.

On 22nd January 2010, the Independent Online reported that two police officers had been arrested for involvement in bank and business robberies. According to the North West Department of Public Safety, the robberies took place in Ventersdorp, Orkney, Christiana, and Wolmaransstad in the North West. The officers, a captain and an inspector are alleged to have escorted members of a gang to and from the targets. In the event of alarms going off, they would mislead any response by claiming it was a false alarm. According to spokesman Lesiba Moses Kgwele, a BMX X5, Golf 3, and an Audi A4 were recovered. A total of 317 cell phones valued at over Rl50 000 were also found together with an undisclosed amount of cash.

On 31St December 2009, the Cape Argus reported that an officer, Llewellyn Anthony (33) had been arrested for robbery. He allegedly robbed four men at gun point on 17th December 2009. According to the Cape Argus, Anthony was accused of taking R250 in cash from his victims at M-I3crth in Table Bay Harbour in the Western Cape. He also ran over one of the complainants with the police vehicle after robbing them. Anthony was also charged with attempted murder.

On 9th October 2009, the Pretoria News reported that a Pretoria Metro policeman and his accomplices had been charged with robbery and attempted murder. This was after an attack on Elaine Cahill (25) at her parents' Raslouw smallholding outside Centurion, Gauteng. According to Tshwane Metro police spokesman Console Tleane, the officer was a member of the department's By-Laws Enforcement Unit. He allegedly gave Coin Security guard uniforms to two gang members who conned their way into the Cahill's property. The pair requested to be shown around the house, which was also used to run a party business. At that point, Cahill was pepper sprayed, handcuffed and beaten to the ground. Once she had been subdued, the robbers tried to strangle her but left her when she passed out, thinking she was dead. The family's domestic worker, Idah Mashilo, was forced at gunpoint to point out where the family kept their guns and other valuables. Cahill gained consciousness, freed herself from the handcuffs and sought help from a neighbour. The Gauteng Rapid Response Unit was alerted of the attack and two suspects were arrested as they tried to flee. The pair led police to a Pretoria West scrap yard where the 30-year-old officer was pointed out by his compatriots. His 9mm service pistol was also seized by police from his home in Sunnyside, Pretoria.

On 15th September 2009, The Witness reported that a constable from Umlazi in Durban was facing armed robbery charges. This was after he and his accomplices were arrested with their booty in a stolen vehicle. They also had a pistol which had its serial numbers erased. According to Investigating Officer Derek Coetzee, Skhumbuzo Khanyile (40) a neighbour of the accused Constable Nkosinathi Buthelezi (37) had been previously arrested for seven robberies but had been released. Khanyile's fingerprints had been lifted at a business in Boston, Western Cape that he had robbed previously. He was not charged for the robbery. On 27th July, they robbed the Shosholoza Bottle Store at the Grange in Pietermaritzburg, after driving up in a stolen vehicle. They took R600 and bottles of alcohol. The police were alerted and the suspects were arrested while driving on the Eston road in Kwazulu-Natal. The co-accused were Sbonisa Ngobhozi (24) and Sandile Blose (28).

On 11th September 2009, the Dispatch Online published the arrest of a police constable (29) from Port Elizabeth in connection with a cash-in-transit robbery. Police captain Stephen Marais said the officer from Kabega Park Police Station in Port Elizabeth took part in robbing G45 security guards in Mdantsane, outside East London. Police managed to track down one getaway vehicle via a tracking system and the Organised Crime Unit was alerted. The constable was suspended and appeared at the Mdantsane Magistrate's Court.

On 27th August 2009 the Cape Thnev reported that two Flying Squad officers had been arrested on charges of robbery, assault, and abduction. According to a Woodstock Police Station spokesman, the two were nabbed after carrying out a robbery while in uniform and in marked police vehicles. They targeted the Bismillah General Dealer in Salt River, Cape Town, where they stormed in on the pretext of a drug raid. It is alleged that they beat up the owner and took boxes of cigarettes and airtime vouchers worth Rl4 200. The pair was stationed at the 10111 Call Centre in Pinelands, also in Cape Town. Following an immediate suspension, they appeared at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court.

On 3rd August 2009, The Witness reported that a Durban policeman and an accomplice had been arrested following an attempted robbery. The two suspects were arrested on the R 103 near Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal, following the incident. According to Senior Superintendent Henry Budhram, a woman was withdrawing cash at an ATM at Polly Shorts Shopping Centre in Cleland, Pietermaritzburg. Two men approached her and interfered with her transaction. They began pressing the ATM keys and took her bank card. She however snatched it back and screamed for help. They sped off in a white VW Golf while the woman called the police with a description of the men and their getaway vehicle. The SAPS circulated the details and later, members of the SAPS Camperdown intercepted the car. Both suspects were subsequently arrested and a card-cloning device was found in their car. Budhram said the suspects' modus operandi was to obtain bank cards and clone them, to be used later for fraudulent withdrawals. The pair aged 25 and 35 appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court on charges of robbery and fraud.

On 19th June 2009 News24.com published a report on the arrest of two Metro policemen for robbery. This after they allegedly took 10 000 (about Rl13 000) from a man outside Montecasino in Fourways, Johannesburg. According to Metro police spokesman Chief Superintendent Wayne Minaar, they stopped the man as he was driving from the casino and relieved him of his money. The man reported the matter the following morning. Their vehicle was identified through a tracking system, leading to their identification.

On 18th May 2009 The Mercury reported that three police officers had been charged with robbery and murder. They appeared at a bail hearing in the Durban Magistrate's Court following the death of their colleague. Sergeant Mandla Thusi is believed to have been murdered because he was a witness in a case against one of the officers, Petros Sithole. Sithole had been charged with stealing guns in a robbery in Boscombe, KwaZulu-Natal. His bail hearing was set for 28th May 2009.

On 6th July 2008, the Cliv Press reported the disappearance of cash and drugs worth an estimated R15 million from the OR Tambo International Airport. The incident, which took place on the night of 1st July, was suspected to be an inside job. According to reporter Piet Rampedi, the officer guarding the safe at that time was allegedly hijacked on his way home and robbed of the keys to the safe. It is however not clear why the officer, Inspector Jeffery Ndou. was taking the keys home. Stolen and recovered goods are kept in the safe prior to being taken for forensic tests. That night Exhibit 13, the main safe, was cleared of money and drugs. According to Ndou's statement to the Westonaria police, a group of people in four cars hijacked him near his home in Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg. A marked police vehicle was allegedly used and its occupants were wearing police tracksuits. They allegedly robbed him of the safe keys before dumping him in Glenhovie on Gauteng's West Rand. By the time the police were alerted, the safe had been cleared. National police spokesperson Dennis Adriao confirmed the robbery but would not give further details.

On 3rd March 2008. the Cliv Press reported that a Tshwane police sergeant had shot himself after a foiled robbery attempt. Jacob Killer' Maduma was said to have belonged to a syndicate responsible for a spate of armed attacks on immigrants. Maduma was attached to the Sunnyside Police Station's tracing unit. According to reporter Sonia Molema, Maduma (36) was linked to several crimes including hijacking, murder, armed robbery, corruption, and extortion. He and his gang targeted business people in Brooklyn, Garsfontein, Lyttelton and Wierdabrug in the Pretoria area. He and four accomplices, also police officers from Sunnyside and Wierdabrug Police Stations allegedly robbed six Pakistani businessmen. They took electrical appliances and an undisclosed amount of money at the house in Doornpoort, north of Pretoria. During the robbery, one of the businessmen hid in the wardrobe and called the police. When the police arrived, Madurna made off in an unmarked vehicle and his accomplices fled on foot. He crashed his car during the chase and then shot himself. Police arrested his companions, sergeants Ignatius Le Roux and Jimmy Chauke. They appeared in the Pretoria North Magistrate's Court. Maduma had been previously arrested in 2004 for robbery, hijacking and involvement in a Telkom airtime voucher scam. This was after he and his accomplice demanded a R250 000 bribe from Telkom technician Nelson Silinda. Silinda had hacked into the Telkom network and printed out airtime worth R16 million. According to the paper, Maduma lived a lavish lifestyle. It could not be established what had happened to the charges prior to his suicide.

On 14th February 2008, The Star reported the sentencing of a police sergeant to 20 years in prison for robbery. According to reporter Anna Louw, David Moliko (38) from the Soweto Crime Combating Unit was sentenced for robbing Stanley Norman Murphy (73) and his late wife Angela (72). He allegedly pulled outside the pensioners' home Alberton, east of Johannesburg, on 25th February 2005, in the company of two other officers. The three officers told Murphy that his car had been involved in an attempted hijacking and that they wanted to speak to him. They also asked Murphy to unlock his safe and to show them his gun, whose licence they had seen. The trio allegedly took R20 000 in cash from the safe, together with Murphy's Krugerrands. Moliko allegedly held the couple at gunpoint and took their car keys while the other officers left. According to Murphy, the policemen left the cars because they could not open the garage door. Calls made by Moliko were traced by the Radio Control Unit leading to the arrest. Germiston Magistrate James Van Wyk acquitted Inspectors Eric Sithole (43) and Gift Da Gama (44) due to lack of positive identification.

On 22nd January 2006, the City Press reported that a chief traffic officer had been implicated in a R22 million bank robbery. According to reporter Charles Ka Makaula, Charles Mdluli (47) was suspended after he and his wife were fingered in a bank robbery. The ABSA Bank warehouse in Rocky Drift. outside Nelspruit was robbed over Easter in 2003 and the Mdluli's were among the 12 suspects arrested. MdIuli and his accomplices obtained R5 000 bail each and appeared at the Carolina Magistrate's Court on 30th January 2006. At the time of print, Mdluli had been granted bail at the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on charges of drunken driving.

On 29th April 2004, the Pretoria News reported that two policemen involved in an armed robbery had been denied bail. The incident took place in Erasmia, Pretoria. Inspector Silas Gafane (42) and Constable Marcus Phetla (42) appeared in the Atteridgeville Regional Court in Pretoria. In his defence, Gafanc. a court orderly at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, alleged that he went to Erasmia on 14th April 2009 to look for a man who owed him money. According to the investigating officer Phillip Kgomosotho, Gafane was booked for duty on that day but deserted his post. He was linked to Precious Maborodze (33) the domestic worker at the house, through phone calls he made to her until four minutes before the robbery. Together, they allegedly robbed her employer at around 9am. Phetla, based at Mamelodi East police station in Pretoria, was arrested at his house after Gafane led police to his home. Cash and a firearm were found after a search. Magistrate Allan Cowan found the evidence overwhelming and denied them bail.

Theft and fraud

Research identified 7 incidents of theft/fraud allegations against, and/or convictions of police officers.

On 11th March 2010, The Star reported that four people, including a Metro police officer had been arrested for fraud and the alleged possession of a stolen vehicle. According to police superintendent Lungelo Dlamini, the officer was one of two people arrested on Allandale Road in Ivory Park, Gauteng. They appeared in the Tembisa Magistrate's Court on a charge of possessing a stolen vehicle.

On 16th February 2010 the Independent Online reported that a former station commissioner of Pietermaritzburg's Mountain Rise Police Station was challenging his dismissal following theft and fraud charges. According to reporter Sharika Regchand, Commissioner Badul was involved in the theft of state property. He and three other policemen allegedly stole equipment with the help of a police clerk and a local businessman. The equipment was later found at his farm in Crammond, near Wartberg, KwaZulu-Natal. All but Badul were granted bail. Badul said he considered his 29th January dismissal unlawful and in breach of his employment contract. At the time of print, he was in hospital recovering from an operation. His argument stemmed from a forfeited entitlement to his employers contribution to the pension fund and as medical cover.

On 26th January 2010, the Independent Online reported that a police constable had been arrested in connection with the theft of a vehicle. Eastern Cape Superintendent Mzukisi Fatyela said the National Investigation Unit had arrested the 31-year-old for the possession of a stolen Toyota Avensis. He added that this was not the first time he was involved in the same kind of crime. He was apprehended at his home in Ngangelizwe Township and appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate's Court.

On 12th January 2010, the Independent Online reported that the North Gauteng High Court had ordered the forfeiture of a bakkie belonging to Senior Superintendent Noko Johannes Mothupi. According to NPA spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga, the Daewoo Lanos bakkie was confiscated because of its alleged use in committing a crime. The court ordered the forfeiture in terms of the Organised Crime Act on 11th January. Mothupi, a senior member of the Silverton Police Station in Pretoria, used the bakkie to transport and conceal a Russian military bomb. He was arrested on 5th June 2008 in a sting operation at the Sheraton Hotel in Arcadia, Pretoria. This was after he attempted to sell the bomb for R6 million under the pretext that it was enriched uranium. In doing so, he contravened the Firearms Control Act. The device was analysed for radioactivity by the Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa). It was not known how Mothupi obtained the bomb. At the time of publishing, he was out on R5 000 bail and his trial was due to resume on 8th April 2010.

On 7th January 2010, the Independent Online reported that a police constable had been held for theft and fraud. According to police spokesman Musa Zondi, the 29-year-old policeman was arrested by the West Rand Organised Crime Unit. He allegedly used a state issued petrol card to fill up his friend's cars. The amount allegedly used was estimated at R10 000.

On 29th October 2009, The Citizen reported that three police officers from Germiston in Gauteng's East Rand had been arrested for theft. This was after clothing worth R2.5 million disappeared from the scene of a truck hijacking. According to police Captain Steady Nawa, two were arrested at the Germiston Police Barracks while the other was arrested at his home in Katlehong in the East Rand. Nawa said 685 boxes of clothes from a hijacked trailer went missing at George Street in Germiston. The boxes were destined for Ackerman's Stores in Heidelberg, Gauteng. The clothes disappeared from the abandoned trailer after the three attended to the scene of the hijacking. Members of the public gave information that led to their arrest. The clothes had not been recovered at the time of print.

On 18th May 2009 The Mercury reported that three Durban police officers had pleaded guilty to possession of stolen police firearms. According to police spokesman Vincent Mdunge, Constable Bongani Dlamini (38), Inspectors Linda Cibane (44) and Sabelo Ngcobo (43) pleaded guilty in the Durban Magistrate's Court. The weapons were stolen in an armed robbery at Boscombe SAPS and Metro Satellite Station on 26th February 2009. Dlamini and Cibane were ordered to pay fines of R5 000 each or to serve six months in prison. They also each received five year suspended sentences on condition that they did not contravene the Firearms Control Act during that period. Ngcobo was sentenced to a fine of R 10 000 or twelve months in prison plus the five year suspended sentence.

Other

Research identified 17 incidents of other allegations against, and/or convictions of police officers. These included ATM bombings, kidnapping, hijacking, common assault, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), and drug dealing.

On 24th March 2010, News24.com reported that five people, including a policeman, had been arrested for kidnapping and assault. According to Inspector Moses Maphakela, the gang demanded that a Zimbabwean man pay R50 000 and hand over his Audi A4 in return for his release on 17th March. The man had arranged to meet one of the suspects on the evening of 16th March at Nando's in Savoy Estate, Sandton. Instead, he realised that there were four other people present. When the four told him to get into their car, he refused and tried to run away. They chased after him, caught him, and took him to a house in Alexandra, outside Johannesburg. It was there that the man was forced to call his uncle for the ransom. The uncle however went to Bramley Police Station and reported the kidnapping. He then drove to Balfour Park Shopping Centre where he parked his nephew's car, leaving the keys in the ignition. When the five men approached to get the ransom, they were arrested. A detective constable (27) from Randburg Police Station and a police reservist (56) from Alexandra were among those arrested. Both carried state firearms.

On 17th March 2010, The Mercury reported that a Road Traffic Inspectorate officer had been charged with assault. This was after the attack of one Jude Ward in January 2010 at the Camperdown Police Station near Pietermaritzburg. According to Ward's attorney, Karen Hattingh, the incident took place in full view of other police officers. Ward said she was driving in the fast lane on the N3 when a man in a white unmarked bakkie tried to pass her. As she tried to move from the lane, the man placed a blue light on his roof and pursued her. He then indicated that she should pull over but she drove on, upon suspicion of a hijack attempt. The officer followed her to the police station where he assaulted her. Ward was also charged with reckless, negligent driving and failing to comply with a traffic officer's instructions. The charges were later amended to the failure to comply with a traffic officer's instructions on the road and at the police station'. Police Superintendent Jay Naicker confirmed that the officer would be subpoenaed to appear in court. The conduct of the officers who failed to assist was also investigated.

On 16th March 2010 News24.com reported that a victim of assault by policemen had been granted R140 000. The KwaZulu Natal High Court ordered the damages in favour of a man assaulted in holding cells at the Tongaat Police Station. According to News24.com, Judge Themba Sishi ruled that former businessman Nathan Naidoo be compensated for the incident that took place in April 2000. The victim alleged that he was taken to Tongaat Police Station for questioning in relation to a housebreaking offence. Naidoo said he was taken to a holding cell where he was tied up, gagged and assaulted. He was also allegedly questioned about the origins of his wealth and made to drink his urine.

On 12th March 2010, the Independent Online published a story on the arrest of three police officers for hijacking a courier services van in Meyerton in the Vaal Triangle, Gauteng. According to Captain Katlego Mogale, the three allegedly held up the driver at gun point, demanding that he abandon his vehicle. When he refused, they assaulted him and one of them fired a shot. When the shot was heard, people called the police and the suspects were apprehended after a high speed chase. Police appointment certificates identified them as police officers. A maroon Volkswagen Golf belonging to one of the suspects was recovered. At the time of publishing, they were due to appear at the Meyerton Magistrates Court in Gauteng, on hijacking and attempted murder charges.

On 2nd March 2010, the Dali' News reported that a KwaZulu-Natal traffic official was under investigation for assault. Reporter Sherlissa Peters wrote that the female officer had allegedly slapped a heavily pregnant woman on 28th February, 2010. Buyisiwe Makhoba said she was driving to work that Sunday when she was slapped by the officer. This happened at the Oribi and Washington Roads intersection in Pietermaritzburg. There was a build up of traffic because of the Pietermaritzburg Marathon and the officer was only letting a few cars pass through at a time. Makhoba said the traffic officer struck her on the cheek as she drove slowly through the intersection. Too shocked, she did not stop but went on and laid an assault charge at the Alexandra Police Station in Pietermaritzburg. Makhoba also wrote a formal letter of complaint.

On 3rd December 2009, the Independent Online reported that two police officers based in Woodstock, Cape Town had been found guilty of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. According to Bush Radio, Constables Candice Hendricks and Lorentia Hamilton beat Jonas Majila in 2006. Majila had been apprehended alleged riotous behaviour during a random stop and search operation. He was a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photographs taken by Bush Radio supported evidence of the injuries sustained by Majila and added to his credibility. Magistrate Rixana handed down a 12 inonth suspended sentence and a fine of R 8000 to the two at the Cape Town Magistrates Court.
On 2nd December 2009, the Independent Online reported that a police officer was under investigation for assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm. This was after an altercation that followed a car crash in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. According to police spokesman Superintendent Mzukisi Fatycla, the officer allegedly crashed into the back of the woman's car in Madeira Street in Mthatha's Central Business District. He grabbed her car keys from her and accused her of damaging his car before hitting her. Other motorists who witnessed the incident came to her defence.

On 26th October 2009, the Independent Online reported that a police officer had appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on drug related criminal charges. According to reporter Baldwin Ndaba, Petros Dumisani Jwara (43) appeared on charges including fraud, attempted theft, racketeering, and defeating the ends of justice. The last charge relates to the release of a suspect found in possession of drugs. Jwara and his co-accused, Victor Mpho Jwili (38) and Ratsheki Landro Mokgosani (39) allegedly used the West Rand Organised Crime Unit's offices for their illegal activities. Jwara faced a separate charge of managing a drug smuggling syndicate.

On 26th August 2009, The Star reported that a probe had revealed how police a clerk sold state owned rifles to a criminal gun dealer. According to reporter Alex Eliseev, Alexandra based police clerk Aubrey Tshamano (26) was arrested together with eight other men. They allegedly helped distribute stolen R-5 rifles. The probe revealed how he manipulated the system when booking out weapons and made others disappear. It is also alleged that he also used marked police vehicles in the distribution process. He appeared together with his accomplices at the Alexandra Magistrate's Court in Gauteng.

On 10th July 2009. Pretoria based BuaNews reported the arrest of two police officers from the Kuils River Police Station in Cape Town on charges of kidnapping, extortion, and corruption. The two were a 45-year-old inspector and his accomplice from the Detective Services Unit. According to police spokesperson Superintendent Andre Traut, the officers lured a private vehicle seller into a deal. They acted as potential buyers and allegedly planted fake diamonds in the seller's vehicle. When the latter left his vehicle, he was confronted by the officers and extorted to pay a substantial amount to avoid prosecution. They took him to a particular location to collect the money and this was regarded as kidnapping. They appeared at the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on 15th July.

On 13th October 2008, News24.corn reported that two Mpumalanga police officers had been implicated in the bombing of an ABSA ATM and the robbing of employees at a Caltex filling station in Evander, Mpumalanga. Constable William Smith (24) and Inspector Sipho Nkosi (39) were based at the Leslie Police Station. Mpumalanga Organised Crime Unit spokesman Captain Leonard Hlathi said the two reported a non-existent accident as a diversion. This was at around 9am on 28th September 2008. After the bombing, they failed to take the money out of the ATM and so they proceeded to rob garage staff of R5 000 in cash. Evidence at the scene of the bombing led to the two policemen who were apprehended together with the rest of their accompLices. They appeared before the Leslie Magistrate's Court on charges of robbery and malicious damage to property.

On 10th October 2008, The Star reported that a policeman assigned to an anti-hijacking team in the Johannesburg inner city was involved in the hijacking of buildings. Sean Twala was found guilty of intimidation, attempted extortion, and defeating the ends of justice. According to Superintendent Greg Beck of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, property developer Mike Lingwood sold property in the south of Johannesburg to an unnamed woman. The woman later refused to vacate the property after a legal technicality invalidated the sale. When Lingwood evicted her, she allegedly paid Twala R3 000 to stop the eviction. Following a physical confrontation, Twala arrested Lingwood and later disappeared, leaving him in jail for five days. Lingwood was only freed after the intervention of his attorney and senior police officials. Twala had allegedly demanded R5 000 from Lingwood to secure his release. However, Lingwood had refused and subsequently laid counter-charges. Magistrate Paul Du Plessis sentenced Twala to four years in jail for intimidation. Two years for attempted extortion and defeating the ends of justice were wholly suspended.

On 24th July 2008, The Star reported the arrest of two policemen and a soldier on charges of ATM bombings. According to spokesperson Superintendent Eugene Opperman, they were linked to an incident in which an ATM was hit in the Vaal Rand. Gauteng. Explosives were found and confiscated during the arrest. They appeared in the Vereeniging Magistrate's Court, south of Johannesburg, on the day of publishing. At the time, investigators would not divulge the details of the investigation.

On 22nd June 2008, News24.com reported that a Gauteng policeman was to appear in court on charges of bombing an ATM in Hendrina, Mpumalanga. Inspector Mpho Lebakeng (38) of Sinoville Police Station in Pretoria was charged together with coa ccused, Lebatlo Michael Thole (37). Mpurnalanga police spokesman Captain Leonard 1-Ilathi said on 3rd June, an off-duty policeman who lives near the ATM heard the explosion and called for back-up. Thole, who participated in the bombing, was shot in the right leg while attempting to escape on foot. Lebakeng was arrested on 6th June at his home in Pretoria. At the time, he had other charges against him which included murder. The suspects appeared at the Hendrina Magistrate's Court.

On 25th May 2008 The Star reported that a hijacking syndicate which included a Pretoria Metro policeman had been apprehended. Lesedi Molapo was arrested for providing uniforms and a blue light to the hijacking syndicate. According to reporter Shaun Smillie, six men were arrested with stolen goods worth about R2 million by members of the North West task team. The team were on the way to Tembisa in Ekurhuleni to investigate house robberies that had occurred in Rustenburg, North West. They noticed two men in metro uniforms and two civilians in a Citi Golf with a police blue light. According to police spokesman Senior Superintendent Vishnu Naidoo, the team found it suspicious that a metro car was transporting civilians. The car sped off when they tried to stop it. Following a high speed chase, the driver, Thabo Sebola, was arrested in Church Street, Pretoria. His accomplice, Jeff Walker, fired shots at the police and fled. It was then that police discovered that the hands of the civilians in the car were tied. They had been hijacked in Pelindaba, Pretoria. Police recovered RI 20 000 in cash after arresting Walker and four others. The six appeared in the Kempton Park and Pretoria Magistrate's Courts.

On 16th February 2007, News24.com reported that a former police reservist had been convicted of indecent assault, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice. Ismail Sheik (39) was found guilty at the Durban Regional Court on 14th March 2007. According to The Mercury, Sheik found a teenager smoking dagga with her boyfriend outside Burn Nightclub in Durban in 2002. He arrested them and took the girl in his Volkswagen Golf after ordering her boyfriend to get out. At a parking lot in Durban Central, he forced the 17-year-old to perform oral sex on him. In a separate incident, a woman was pulled over by Sheik and accused of drunken driving. He ordered her to accompany him to the police station where he allegedly spiked her drink. A petrol attendant at a garage where the woman had left her car later positively identified Sheik. Also among the victims was Sarah-Anne Cairns whom Sheik also accused of drunken driving. Cairns had refused to get out of the car and 10 days later, he had pulled her over again for "ducking and weaving". She again refused to get out of her car and took down his registration. Several charges against Sheik out of a total numbering close to 20 were withdrawn due to lack of evidence. After a trial that began in 2005, he was convicted to seven counts of indecent assault and one each for kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.

On 23rd June 2006, the Mail and Guardian reported that an inspector and eight others were in court for ATM blasts. According to spokesperson Superintendent Eugene Opperman, the inspector was an explosives sniffer dog handler with the West Rand Dog Unit in Gauteng. He and his accomplices were linked to a March 2006 blast in Mondeor, south of Johannesburg. Police arrested three of the nine men at a tavern in Soweto. The three had allegedly been involved in a house robbery in Florida, on Johannesburg's West Rand. Police also confiscated a car stolen during the robbery. Explosives and firearms were also seized and sent for ballistic tests. The suspects appeared in the Randburg Magistrate's Court.

Transcribed from PDF: Please check against the original.

Issued by the South African Institute of Race Relations, February 14 2011

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