THREE high-profile West Rand organised crime unit police officers have been found guilty of dealing in drugs.
The State yesterday submitted that the three, including the head of the unit, had total disregard for the law.
"They used their positions in the SAPS to commit the crime. They abused the system to enrich themselves," prosecutor Riana Williams said.
"... They never prevented organised crime (but) they committed it. There is an outrage in communities about such crimes. They should be hit hard because they showed no remorse," Williams said.
The unit's head, Colonel Dumisani Jwara, 47, Warrant Officer Victor Jwili, 42, and Captain Landro Makgosani were found guilty of racketeering, attempted theft, fraud and defeating the ends of justice and drug dealing in the Randburg High Court yesterday.
Fourth accused Captain Caiphus Shange died in prison in July 2009.
Judge Nico Coetzee said the state had proved that the three had established an enterprise, participated in it and shared its profit. Coetzee referred to SAPS internal auditor Colonel Phumlani Matshona's report.
"He concluded that their financial standing was not in line with their salaries received from the SAPS," he said.
Coetzee said the report revealed that for the period between January 1 2005 and April 31 2010, Jwara received R1144169,94; Jwili R69679,61 and Makgosani R56430,56 from unknown sources.
"It was clear that these monies came from drug dealing. Jwara was leading the enterprise," Coetzee.
The three allegedly ran a drug smuggling syndicate in the Johannesburg suburbs of Paulshof, Sandton and Fourways, as well as the Pretoria East suburb of Lyttelton between 2005 and 2006.
Some of the drugs sold by the officers included 198kg of cocaine they allegedly stole at OR Tambo International Airport in October 2007. They got R1425000 for the haul.
Jwara, Jwili and Makgosani all have previous convictions.
The trio yesterday pleaded through their lawyer Nardus Grove not to be sent to prison.
Nardus said the men were responsible for sending many criminals to jail.
"Your Lordship, I will ask that you should not over-emphasise that they are law enforcement officers. You should consider suspending part of their sentence," argued Nardus.
Williams called for life imprisonment for the accused.
Their bail was extended until sentencing on November 7.
3 cops guilty of dealing in drugs, theft
THREE high-profile West Rand organised crime unit police officers have been found guilty of dealing in drugs.
The State yesterday submitted that the three, including the head of the unit, had total disregard for the law.
"They used their positions in the SAPS to commit the crime. They abused the system to enrich themselves," prosecutor Riana Williams said.
"... They never prevented organised crime (but) they committed it. There is an outrage in communities about such crimes. They should be hit hard because they showed no remorse," Williams said.
The unit's head, Colonel Dumisani Jwara, 47, Warrant Officer Victor Jwili, 42, and Captain Landro Makgosani were found guilty of racketeering, attempted theft, fraud and defeating the ends of justice and drug dealing in the Randburg High Court yesterday.
Fourth accused Captain Caiphus Shange died in prison in July 2009.
Judge Nico Coetzee said the state had proved that the three had established an enterprise, participated in it and shared its profit. Coetzee referred to SAPS internal auditor Colonel Phumlani Matshona's report.
"He concluded that their financial standing was not in line with their salaries received from the SAPS," he said.
Coetzee said the report revealed that for the period between January 1 2005 and April 31 2010, Jwara received R1144169,94; Jwili R69679,61 and Makgosani R56430,56 from unknown sources.
"It was clear that these monies came from drug dealing. Jwara was leading the enterprise," Coetzee.
The three allegedly ran a drug smuggling syndicate in the Johannesburg suburbs of Paulshof, Sandton and Fourways, as well as the Pretoria East suburb of Lyttelton between 2005 and 2006.
Some of the drugs sold by the officers included 198kg of cocaine they allegedly stole at OR Tambo International Airport in October 2007. They got R1425000 for the haul.
Jwara, Jwili and Makgosani all have previous convictions.
The trio yesterday pleaded through their lawyer Nardus Grove not to be sent to prison.
Nardus said the men were responsible for sending many criminals to jail.
"Your Lordship, I will ask that you should not over-emphasise that they are law enforcement officers. You should consider suspending part of their sentence," argued Nardus.
Williams called for life imprisonment for the accused.
Their bail was extended until sentencing on November 7.
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