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Four police officers stationed at OR Tambo International were arrested at the airport on Thursday on charges of extortion, police said.
The arrests follow the arrival of a Ghanaian national on January 1 who, after passing through customs, was stopped by police at the arrivals lobby, said Colonel Vishnu Naidoo.
“The police demanded that he produce an invitation to justify his visit to South Africa.”
The man then produced his passport and his visa and said he did not need a letter of invitation.
“The officers allegedly demanded one hundred US dollars from the man and threatened him with deportation. Fearing he would be deported, the man instead said he had fifty US dollars,” said Naidoo.
He said the officers then ordered the man to convert the dollars into rand currency and pay it to them.
The matter was then brought to the attention of OR Tambo's police management and an inquiry was initiated and evidence gathered.
“The Ghanaian man was eventually traced to a place in Gauteng and an affidavit was obtained from him earlier this week.
“On the premise of the affidavit and evidence obtained, a sergeant and three constables stationed OR Tambo International Airport were arrested this morning (Thursday).
The officers were expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court on Monday.
“The investigation team at OR Tambo international has been praised for working tirelessly on this matter despite the fact that no criminal case was initially opened,” said Naidoo. – Sapa
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Mercury, wrote
20 months ago around 8 a.m. I had cleared the numerous checks in Customs and was in the arrival lobby heading for the glass doors when I was accosted by two massive cops who demanded my passport in a very ugly and aggressive manner. They gave it a cursory glance and threw it back at me, before heading to their next target. I am a South African living abroad, and was very unsettled by this incident. I am unlikely to return, as I have never experienced anything like it in any other country's port of arrival. These thugs are the welcome one remembers, and for their victims, become the face of South Africa.
rs85, wrote
I really hope it is the same 4 officers who threatened and harassed me last May at international arrivals. They called me and screamed for my passport (why do they want to check my passport when it was already checked by customs). When I answered a question for my brother, one of them become extremely threatening, swore me repeatedly, and even came forward to assault me but another officer held him back. They also refused to give us back our passports. I laid a charge but airport cameras missed this incident and there was not enough evidence to prosecute. They are based at the arrivals lobby and so I really do hope it is the same idiots who abuse their badges!
Dez, wrote
Disgusting, Have we now become like the rest of Africa where airport officails are so corrupt and always trying to extort money from you. I recently travelled thru Point Noire and even though my yellow fever card is in date I was asked to pay $25 to some guy in a very dirty white coat who claims he a doctor just to put a stamp into my vaccination card. I refused to pay him and his corrupt cronnies.Point Noire in Congo must be one of the worse for this type of corruption. Please keep this out of SA and well done to the SAPS for doing something about it
Anonymous, wrote
I really love reading these stories, keep up the good work in this regard. It is not right to bribe people especially if you are in a position of trust.
Pointe Noire and Luanda too, wrote
This is Africa, remember. The same things happen in the Congo and Angola. My next trip is to Cameroon, and I bet the same will happen there, police and customs officials demanding hand-outs.
neo, wrote
Instead of using their power to protect and assist they use their power to steal and be corrupted for their own benefit. They feel nothing for anyone as long as they get what they want. How can you trust them. Very sad.
Anonymous, wrote
Ntando Msibi, wrote
Our police are a putrid gang of thugs who give our country a very bad name. If they think the money their getting is not enough, why don't their use their brains to start something that will bring more bacon home. Where will, as a citizenry, run to if we are beset by problems. This is ridiculous.
Anonymous, wrote
The cops have become the largest criminal gang in the country - and best of all they are paid and armed with taxpayers money.
Anonymous, wrote
typical T.I.A! SAPigs are all the same filth, corrupted to the bones. If they don't get a handout they demand one.
looly, wrote
i CAN BELEIEVE THIS A OPENED A CASE OF ROBBERY IN 2010 IN EAST RAND BY FOREIGNERS AND LOCAL GUYS IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES AS POLICE AND MY CASE IS CHANGING IN THIS POLICE STATION, HOW THIS GHANIAN GOT ATTENTION , IS BECAUSE HE GOT CONNECTION WITH THE TOP GUYS PLEASE SOUTH AFRICA WHERE IS EQUAL JUSTICE
Anonymous, wrote
Start arresting the corrupt police and airport officials who are in the pockets of druglords! Maybe then I will have respect for the SAPS...
GVS, wrote
Who in this country is not corrupt, please raise your hands and come forward so that you can be commended.
Anonymous, wrote
This is nothing new. My wife is a foreigner and has been stopped by the police after going through emigration, asking questions. Luckily I have been there to pick her up every time and once they see that she has a South African husband they move on. They are criminals. You cannot trust the police especially if you are a foreigner.
Simone, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
If any lawyers or police officials are readings this can they clarify the legality of this. I get stopped by the cops quite often when I arrive at the airport. The minute they see that I am a local they let me go. Are the SAPS alllowed to do "immigration" or "customs" type checks out the designated areas ?
jandr0, wrote
I know there are still a few good police men and women... however, more and more, I do not trust our police. I do not feel safe in a police station (spoken from awful personal experience). As 'naked eyes' wrote: "And who shall gaurd the guards?"
Anonymous, wrote
Before employing them as policemen they should be educated that if they get involved in corruption and if caught they will lose their pension, their job, deprive their families of food on the table etc. Is it worth loosing their jobs for such abnoxious corruption. The police must find better ways of getting rid of corrupt offcials esprcially at airports.
Hard Courage, wrote
The OR Tambo branch must be the most corrupt police station in the country. How else do you explain the endless baggage thefts, illegal taxis, smuggling and human trafficking happening right under their noses?
naked eyes, wrote
"And who shall gaurd the gaurds" If the Zooooma has recieved bribes on the arms deal why should his security forces not follow on his footsteps I mean Jackboot Selebiand Bheki Cele are masters of this art of accrueing stolen wealth so hip hip hooray to the four you follow well in Govt and its senior officials
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