A SENIOR Limpopo police officer has been arrested for the alleged murder of a man he had accused of stealing liquor.
A SENIOR Limpopo police officer has been arrested for the alleged murder of a man he had accused of stealing liquor.
Superintendent Malesela Reginald Ledwaba, who is attached to Mankweng police station, is being kept in the police station's holding cells pending his bail application next Tuesday.
Ledwaba, 49, allegedly assaulted Abram Makgoka, of GaMaraba village in Mashashane, Limpopo, after accusing him of stealing liquor from a tavern in the area.
Although Ledwaba claimed the tavern belongs to his sister, it is believed that it actually belongs to him. The law does not allow police officers to operate businesses such as taverns or taxis.
On September 5, Ledwaba allegedly assaulted Makgoka, accusing him of having broken into the tavern and stealing liquor. Makgoka, 36, was so severely assaulted that he was admitted to Seshego Hospital where he later died. Police investigations led to the arrest ofLedwaba on September 9.
Ledwaba appeared in court on September 11 and was charged with Makgoka's murder. He was refused bail.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Mohale Ramatseba said Ledwaba would appear again next Tuesday for a bail application.
Ramatseba said that at this stage it was not yet clear whether Ledwaba had used any object to assault Makgoka.
"We believe the arrest of a senior member of the force will send out a clear message to the public that even police officers are not above the law.
"We also want to urge our members to respect the law so as not to embarrass the police service," Ramatseba added.
Ledwaba is not new to controversy. Last year he allegedly used live ammunition on protesting students at the University of Limpopo and shot a female student, paralysing her.
The family of the wheelchair-bound student successfully sued the South African Police Service for R10million for the injury suffered by their daughter.
SENIOR COP ON MURDER CHARGE OVER STOLEN BOOZE
A SENIOR Limpopo police officer has been arrested for the alleged murder of a man he had accused of stealing liquor.
A SENIOR Limpopo police officer has been arrested for the alleged murder of a man he had accused of stealing liquor.
Superintendent Malesela Reginald Ledwaba, who is attached to Mankweng police station, is being kept in the police station's holding cells pending his bail application next Tuesday.
Ledwaba, 49, allegedly assaulted Abram Makgoka, of GaMaraba village in Mashashane, Limpopo, after accusing him of stealing liquor from a tavern in the area.
Although Ledwaba claimed the tavern belongs to his sister, it is believed that it actually belongs to him. The law does not allow police officers to operate businesses such as taverns or taxis.
On September 5, Ledwaba allegedly assaulted Makgoka, accusing him of having broken into the tavern and stealing liquor. Makgoka, 36, was so severely assaulted that he was admitted to Seshego Hospital where he later died. Police investigations led to the arrest ofLedwaba on September 9.
Ledwaba appeared in court on September 11 and was charged with Makgoka's murder. He was refused bail.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Mohale Ramatseba said Ledwaba would appear again next Tuesday for a bail application.
Ramatseba said that at this stage it was not yet clear whether Ledwaba had used any object to assault Makgoka.
"We believe the arrest of a senior member of the force will send out a clear message to the public that even police officers are not above the law.
"We also want to urge our members to respect the law so as not to embarrass the police service," Ramatseba added.
Ledwaba is not new to controversy. Last year he allegedly used live ammunition on protesting students at the University of Limpopo and shot a female student, paralysing her.
The family of the wheelchair-bound student successfully sued the South African Police Service for R10million for the injury suffered by their daughter.
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