Pretoria - Fifteen South African Police Service garage employees who were arrested for allegedly stripping police vehicles and selling the parts to the members of the public have been released on bail by various magistrates courts in the Eastern Cape, the police’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) reported on Thursday.
Police said Constable Khangelani Victor Gqwabaza (33), Sergeant Thobile Fani (49), general worker Mongameli Goodman Gaqa (37) and cleaner Sikhumbuzo Majola (43), all attached to Mthatha SAPS Garage, were released on R2 000 bail each and their case was postponed to 2 June for further investigations.
Queenstown SAPS Garage employees Sabelo Mahobe (28), Dingiso Shadrack Maqethuka (54) and Ganumthetho Skey (47) appeared before the Queenstown Magistrate’s Court where they were released on R1 000 bail each and would appear again on 25 May.
Elsewhere, the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court granted a R500 bail each to Warrant Officer Siyakudumisa Mfazwe (33,) Constable Sydney Siyabulela Situnda (36) and 49-year-old Sergeant Dumalisile Ndingane, all employees at Forest Hill SAPS Garage. They would make their next court appearance on 17 May.
Meanwhile, bail of R5,000 was granted to Monwabisi Zicina (35), Sphiwo Qukani (52), Fezile Mhlekwa (36), Mziyanda Magwevana (42)and Zola Humphrey Antonie (33) during their appearance at the Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court. Their case was postponed to 6 May 2015.
“We are saddened to name and shame our own members but to show that we are serious about rooting out corruption and all forms of criminality within the service and the country at large, charity had to begin at home. We hope the arrests of these officers will send a stern warning to others and serve as a lesson that the Hawks’ claws are out to pounce on anyone who is found to be on the wrong side of the law”, said the Acting Head of the Hawks Major General Mthandazo Ntlemeza.
ANA