Rustenburg – A North West policeman, arrested for allegedly soliciting a R500 bribe, should be suspended, the Democratic Alliance in North West said on Tuesday.
“The DA calls on Community Safety MEC Mr Gaoage Molapisi to immediately establish an inquiry in police stations to root out such illegal and corrupt activities. We also call for the suspension of the police officer pending the outcome of his court case,” said Sello Motswenyane, the DA spokesperson on Community Safety.
Earlier, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said Constable Karabo Monyatsi, 30, was arrested after he allegedly asked R500 from the mother of a woman arrested for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend in Boitekong near Rustenburg, earlier this month.
“He [Constable Monyatsi] contacted the suspect’s mother and demanded R500 so that he could release the daughter and have her case destroyed,” said the Hawks’ Major Robert Netshiunda.
“The money was paid to the constable via money market. The complainant, who was the suspect’s boyfriend, voluntarily withdrew the case without any assistance or pursuance from the constable.”
He said once the woman was released, the man learnt of the money paid to the constable and demanded a refund as he did not do anything to help her get out of police custody.
“The matter was then reported to the Hawks who investigated and arrested the officer. He was released on free bail when he appeared at the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and his case was postponed to 1 April 2016.”
Motswenyane said the DA commended the Hawks for arresting the policeman.
“This sends out a clear message to other perpetrators that corruption will not be tolerated and that officials who abuse their positions will face harsh penalties,” he said.
African News Agency
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