A TOP North West Hawks’ lieutenant-colonel has been arrested.
The top cop from Klerksdorp was arrested for corruption and extortion on Wednesday, 7 February.
This after the officer allegedly demanded R1 million to make the corruption case of City of Matlosana Municipality’s CFO disappear.
Matlosana Municipality CFO, Mercy Phetla, was arrested on allegations of corruption on 17 January.
It's alleged that after the charges were finalised and bail conditions pronounced, the top cop approached Phetla and handed her his contact details.
According to a source close to the case, the top cop allegedly told the CFO there was no case against her. He allegedly told her the case was a ploy by certain municipal officials who were allegedly working with law enforcement officers to arrest her.
Phetla was allegedly told there were people who allegedly wanted to get rid of her as she was seen as a stumbling block to their "planned municipal capture".
It's alleged the colonel demanded R1 million to make the case disappear.
The source said Phetla was advised by her legal representatives to co-operate with the alleged proposal from the top cop. Phetla allegedly borrowed R150 000 from a friend to hand over to the colonel.
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It is reported that the first collection was on 23 January 2024.
"This top cop continued to pursue the outstanding amount to fast-track making the case disappear. Phetla, through the advice of her legal support team, devised a strategy to arrest the cop," said the source.
On Wednesday, 7 February, the colonel was arrested and allegedly caught red-handed with R100 000 in fake notes, which were photocopied during a move that was allegedly orchestrated by the National Crime Intelligence. The cop has been detained at the Boschkop Police Station in Tshwane.
According to police spokeswoman, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the colonel attached to DPCI in Klerksdorp, was arrested for corruption after the CFO in the Matlosane Municipality laid a complaint against him. Mathe said the cop accused Phetla of buying an Amarok Volkswagen bakkie after receiving some kickbacks.
Mathe said: “The colonel threatened the complainant by saying she must pay him R50 000 or she'll be arrested for receiving kickbacks, and the money was paid to the lieutenant-colonel and on the second occasion, he further demanded R100 000 after she had been threatened with an arrest again. The complaint paid him the money for the second time. The suspect later demanded additional R100 000 and on the third occasion, she reported the matter to detectives in the National Anti-Corruption Unit, whereby a sting operation was conducted in Silver Lakes, Pretoria, and the lieutenant-Colonel was arrested.”
She said the suspect appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Thursday, 8 February, facing corruption and extortion charges.
"The colonel was remanded in custody until 15 February for a formal bail application," she said.
