4 SAPS sergeants languish in jail after they allegedly stole R1.8 million from zama zama boss! Four Mpumalanga-based police officers have appeared before the Barberton Magistrate’s Court, facing accusations of stealing more than R1 million in cash from a zama zama boss.
SAPS sergeants
Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, provincial spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, said the four implicated police officers are Sergeant Danisile Precious Mahlangu, 47; Sergeant Mandla Saky Ndlovu, 49; Sergeant Bongani Dlamini, 40, and Sergeant Doctor Zulu, 42.
The four police officers are attached to Barberton detectives’ unit.
They were all remanded in custody by the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Friday when they appeared on charges of theft and defeating the ends of justice.
The case against the four police officers was postponed November 19 for formal bail application.
On Friday, the publication reported that the four police officers raided a house where a “paymaster” of illegal miners, colloquially referred to as zama zamas resides.
“Their appearance follows after they were arrested during a joint operation by the Hawks Nelspruit-based serious corruption investigation, serious organized crime investigation, and Mpumalanga crime intelligence on Thursday, November 14, 2024 in Barberton, Mpumalanga,” said Sekgotodi.
At the house, the police officers then conducted a thorough search.
“During the search, they found an amount of R1,800,000 stashed inside a bag in a wardrobe which they allegedly took. It is reported that the son of the paymaster who was at home, was taken to the police station where they locked him in the police cells without booking in the R1,800,000 in the SAPS 13 (register) and neither did they register any case docket,” said Sekgotodi.
It was further alleged that the police detectives drove away from the police station with the money, leaving the son of the zama zama paymaster in police cells where he stayed for five hours.
“Later, crime intelligence unit was summoned to the police station. On their arrival, they phoned the police officers to come back to the police station. Upon their return, they produced the amount of R200,000 which they alleged was found at the paymasters’ house,” said Sekgotodi.
“The complainant, who is the son of the paymaster, opened a case of theft of cash against the four police officials.”
The four detectives were arrested, charged, and detained at Nelspruit police station cells.
Meanwhile, the provincial head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nicholas Gerber has welcomed the swift arrest of the “non-compliant and corrupt” officers.
Gerber vowed that the Hawks in Mpumalanga will investigate and bring all perpetrators of crime to book “without fear or favour”.
He warned police officers across Mpumalanga to refrain from corrupt activities.
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