News24 | Four Gauteng officers, two civilians granted bail in ‘confiscated’ Dragon City cash case

The Hawks have arrested four law enforcement officers and two civilians for corruption.

Four law enforcement officials and two civilians facing charges of corruption were each granted R3 000 bail in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.

The law enforcement officers include three members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit in Gauteng and one officer from the Gauteng Highway Patrol.

Captain Letlhogonolo Andrew Molatlhegi, 59, Warrant Officer Mabutho Masina, 46, Constable Mpho Irvyn Netshivhera, 30, Constable Nhlamulo Matsilela, 30, Simon Mapusi Rakuba, 47, and Lebogang Tseto, 41, appeared in court, where their bail application was not opposed.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), during a police operation, these officers allegedly confiscated a substantial sum of money from a shop in Dragon City. The business was subsequently closed, and several employees were detained.

“The owner, who was not present at the time, later reported the matter,” said NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.

“Subsequent investigations led to the officers being traced to Newtown, where they were allegedly found in possession of a large amount of unregistered cash.”

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Mjonondwane said the four officers were arrested along with two suspected civilian accomplices.

The arrests were carried out by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team.

During the bail proceedings, the investigating officer presented an affidavit confirming that none of the accused had pending cases and that they had cooperated fully during their arrests.

The court determined that their release was in the interest of justice. The case has been postponed to 29 August for further investigation.