News24 | Free State sergeant arrested for alleged corruption

Free State police arrested a sergeant for alleged corruption.(Alfonso Nqunjana/News24)

Free State police arrested a sergeant for alleged corruption.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli said the officer allegedly solicited payments from a client who applied to have his criminal record expunged.

The client made the standard payments of R80 and R170, for which he received receipts. 

Kareli said the officer allegedly demanded two separate payments of R300, which were not recorded in the SAPS system, raising suspicion that the officer's conduct was illegal. 

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"The complainant handed over the amount to the sergeant and did not receive a receipt. On 5 April 2024, the victim went to Park Road SAPS to check on the progress of his application, met with the sergeant again, and was told to come back on Monday, 8 April 2024, with another amount. The victim was unhappy, and he enquired about the many payments he was required to make," said Kareli. 

Kareli said the police's anti-corruption unit's investigation led to the officer's arrest.

He will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Wednesday.

Kareli urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious police conduct. 

"The public is urged to ensure that they receive an invoice, clearly stating the amount paid for services from the finance office. Know that, if you make a payment to any official and you do not receive an official invoice, you might have fallen prey to corruption," he said.