Sandiso Phaliso
POLICE officers who are investigating charges against taxi boss Nkosithandile Cekasayo are themselves being probed for allegedly taking bribes from taxi bosses to destroy evidence or lose dockets.
This emerged yesterday at Cekasayo’s bail application which was heard in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court.
Cekasayo, 29, faces two murder charges related to the shooting of taxi drivers Zithulele Luthuli and Sikhumbule Silwana on July 25, 2013.
He also faces three attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting and wounding Celani Twazi, Bongani Mququ and Thamsanqa Nkuqwana.
Investigating officer Barnard Wilson told the court: “When this case started there were police that were paid to destroy this case.
“That is why some people that started this investigation were chased away.”
He said senior prosecutor John Ryneveld was investigating those police officers.
Cekasayo’s lawyer, Joshua Greef, asked whether the police in question had been arrested and Ryneveld replied: “I can confirm there is an inquiry.”
Earlier Greef said the docket contradicted witness statements. “The accused is not mentioned… but there are other names mentioned,” to which Wilson replied: “Correct.”