Cape Town - Two police officers made a first appearance in a Cape Town court on Monday, on charges of extortion (blackmail), corruption, and defeating the ends of justice.
Jonathan Jerome Plaaitjies, 42, of the Mitchells Plain police station, and Morne Albert Britton Fasser, 30, of the Lentegeur police station on the Cape Flats, appeared in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court, before magistrate Sabrina
Sonnenberg.
The case was postponed to January 29, for consultation with their defence counsel Gilbert Jose.
Both face two charges of extortion, one of corruption and one of defeating the ends of justice. They were not asked to plead.
Prosecutor Xolile Jonas alleges that in July, Plaaitjies informed a woman accused in a number of criminal matters that he had spoken to Fasser, the investigating officer in the cases, and that “something” could be done to help her.
Plaaitjies allegedly arranged for the accused to meet himself and Fasser, but on the undertaking that she would not report what was discussed.
At the meeting, Fasser said her case was serious, and that she stood to lose her house and money. Fasser told her he was able to help her for R10 000, which she paid.
All communication with Fasser had to be via Plaaitjies.
At a second meeting, Fasser allegedly told her the dockets of her cases were to be shredded, but that two other officials involved wanted a cut of R20 000 each. She agreed, but instead went to a senior police officer.
Permission was given for an undercover police operation during which the money was allegedly paid, and Plaaitjies and Fasser arrested.
Sapa