Two police officers stationed at Phalaborwa are set to face justice after being accused of stealing and selling seized copper exhibits.
The officers, aged 43 and 50, will appear before the Phalaborwa Magistrate’s Court on February 24, to answer to charges of theft.
The duo, entrusted with the disposal of copper exhibits seized in criminal cases, allegedly betrayed that trust by selling the metals to a local dealer.
On February 1, 2024, the officers booked out the exhibits under the pretense of lawful disposal but instead made multiple sales, pocketing a significant portion of the proceeds.
"Upon arrival at the station, the only money deposited at Finance was from one of them, being only a quarter of the amount instead of the whole amount as received from the dealer," said police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
The alleged misconduct didn’t stop there. Just over a week later, on February 9, 2024, one of the officers, a female, reportedly returned to the same scrap metal dealer and illegally sold more of the copper without authorisation.
Ledwaba confirmed that the money was never deposited at the SAPS finance.
A case was subsequently opened, and the Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit launched an investigation, uncovering enough evidence to charge the officers with theft.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the investigation that led to their arrest, emphasising the force’s commitment to rooting out corruption.
The police investigation remains ongoing
IOL NEWS