A 26-YEAR-OLD constable from Belhar in Cape Town is in hot water after he was arrested for corruption.
This is after he assisted a suspect to escape from police cells and received R1 000 from the suspect.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi said cops arrested a 22-year-old for fraud on Friday, 17 November.
Swartbooi said the suspect was placed in detention, and the arrested cop approached him and asked him to pay R1v000 so that he could help him escape.
He said the cop arranged with the suspect, and he received the money via e-wallet.
“The constable then assisted the suspect to escape during the night as per their prior arrangement. The suspect, however, was re-arrested in the early hours of Saturday, 18 November, then he blew the whistle on corruption,” said Swartbooi.
After investigations, the officer was arrested on Monday, 20 November.
Meanwhile, a Hawks officer has been found guilty of corruption and obstruction of justice.
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She was bust for stealing a cellphone at a crime scene, exhibits and a docket.
Esmarelda Bailey (55) was out on bail and has appeared in court several times after her arrest in 2011.
“A former Hawks officer was on Tuesday, 21 November, found guilty by the Bellville Serious Commercial Crimes Court for charges ranging from corruption, possession of drugs, obstruction of justice and loss of a firearm.
“It's reported that Esmarelda Bailey (55) was arrested by the Serious Corruption Investigation team in 2011 and charged after she stole an exhibit firearm, sold a docket, stole a cellphone from a crime scene as well and sold a set of police uniform,” said Hawks spokeswoman in Western Cape Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani.
Western Cape police commissioner General Thembisile warned officers to avoid acts of criminality.
He said members of the public are encouraged to report incidents of corruption so that the SAPS can get rid of bad elements that tarnish the good reputation and loyalty of hard-working police officers.
