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Top cop got me freed from cells

A DEALER was arrested for possession and dealing in drugs only to be freed two days later after a top cop "arranged" for his release.

A DEALER was arrested for possession and dealing in drugs only to be freed two days later after a top cop "arranged" for his release.

Kenneth Bogopane told the Johannesburg high court yesterday that police informant Norman Kokoeng had contacted Captain Victor Jwili after his arrest.

"I was arrested on a Friday night after police found drugs on me. I was released on Sunday after accused number two (Jwili) came to the Randburg holding cells where I was detained," Bogopane said.

"I was not informed why I was released. I did not have a conversation with accused number two on that day. I was not charged and never appeared in court. I was never told . why I was released.

Bogopane was testifying in the drug-dealing trial of three high-profile police officers attached to the West Rand organised crime unit - the unit's head, Senior Superintendent Dumisani Jwara, captains Jwili and Landro Makgosani.

The fourth officer arrested with them, Captain Caiphus Shange, died in custody in July.

The accused have been charged with drug dealing, theft, fraud, defeating the ends of justice and racketeering.

"We were in Fourways and Norman (Kokoeng) asked me to accompany him to Mohlakeng in Randfontein, where he met the person (the accused) at a church. When we got to Mohlakeng Norman got out of the vehicle and had a conversation with accused number two.

"He came back into the car . and accused number two took out a brown, sealed envelope and handed it to Norman."

He said on their way back to Fourways Kokoeng "gave me four packages so that I could sell them. I took the one packet with ecstasy".

Kokoeng had earlier told the court that Jwili was "conducting the choir" at the church at the time.

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