Cape Town - Two police officers accused of corruption appeared in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, in Cape Town on Monday.
Siyaza Patrick Siyale, 51, and Wilfred Arno Mentoor, 29, formerly from the Woodstock police station, were not asked to plead to charges of corruption, theft and defeating the ends of justice.
Siyale alone was charged with extortion involving R1800, but was not asked to plead to this count either.
According to the charge sheet, Democratic Republic of Congo investor David Kilato duped the president of the French SA Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Nicodemus Solly Moeng, into involvement in a “lucrative investment”.
Moeng fell for Kilato's claim that he was the only son of an assassinated DRC military general. Kilato wanted to move his investment business to South Africa, but needed a business partner to do this.
Moeng made various payments totalling R300 000. He was then informed that Kilato's money was being couriered to him in three different safes.
According to the charge sheet, Moeng eventually received the safes, but while on his way home with them he was stopped by Siyale and Mentoor.
It then emerged that the safes were filled with black paper cut to the size of bank notes. The two accused Moeng of being involved in a “black dollar scam”.
Prosecutor Denver Combrink alleged that Siyale and Mentoor demanded money in order not to arrest Moeng for the scam, and then searched his house.
They allegedly seized R400 as well as a digital camera and a book titled The Story of Jackie Selebi during the search.
They allegedly failed to enter the items in a police register. This formed the basis of the theft charge.
Siyale is out on R5 000 bail, while Mentoor is out on warning.
Both would appear again on August 19.
Sapa