Frank Maponya
Frank Maponya
A Limpopo cop has found himself on the wrong side of the law after he was arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe from a theft suspect.
The police constable attached to the Lebowakgomo police station was arrested after the suspect tipped off police.
The suspect-cum-whistleblower, who lives in GaMasemola, was wanted in connection with the theft of a car in Lebowakgomo last week.
Upon being assigned to gather information about the investigation, the constable apparently approached the suspect and promised to sweep the matter under the carpet if the suspect paid him R400.
The constable was attached to the crime intelligence gathering unit.
The suspect allegedly told the policeman that he only had R200 on him at the time and promised to pay the outstanding amount later.
The constable then allegedly gave the suspect his bank account details so that he could deposit the balance.
The suspect allegedly deposited the money and then later raised the alarm, which led to the arrest of the constable.
Limpopo police spokesman Superintendent Mohale Rama- tseba yesterday identified the policeman as Constable Mpho Mosomane.
He said Mosomane had appeared in the Thabamoopo magistrate's court yesterday and had been granted R500 bail.
He is expected to appear in court again on March 14.
According to Ramatseba, Mosomane had only been in the police service for two years.
"It is worrying that some of our policemen and women continue to engage in criminal activities while they should be fighting crime," a concerned Rama- tseba said.
He appealed to other members of the police service to refrain from taking part in any activity that might land them in trouble with the law.
"It is unacceptable to have law enforcement officers indulging in criminal activities because that sends out the wrong message to our communities.
"We just hope the law will deal harshly with Mosomane to set an example," he said.
Mosomane, 27, has been suspended with immediate effect for his alleged crime. He is facing a charge of corruption.
dumb rogue cop bust
Frank Maponya
Frank Maponya
A Limpopo cop has found himself on the wrong side of the law after he was arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe from a theft suspect.
The police constable attached to the Lebowakgomo police station was arrested after the suspect tipped off police.
The suspect-cum-whistleblower, who lives in GaMasemola, was wanted in connection with the theft of a car in Lebowakgomo last week.
Upon being assigned to gather information about the investigation, the constable apparently approached the suspect and promised to sweep the matter under the carpet if the suspect paid him R400.
The constable was attached to the crime intelligence gathering unit.
The suspect allegedly told the policeman that he only had R200 on him at the time and promised to pay the outstanding amount later.
The constable then allegedly gave the suspect his bank account details so that he could deposit the balance.
The suspect allegedly deposited the money and then later raised the alarm, which led to the arrest of the constable.
Limpopo police spokesman Superintendent Mohale Rama- tseba yesterday identified the policeman as Constable Mpho Mosomane.
He said Mosomane had appeared in the Thabamoopo magistrate's court yesterday and had been granted R500 bail.
He is expected to appear in court again on March 14.
According to Ramatseba, Mosomane had only been in the police service for two years.
"It is worrying that some of our policemen and women continue to engage in criminal activities while they should be fighting crime," a concerned Rama- tseba said.
He appealed to other members of the police service to refrain from taking part in any activity that might land them in trouble with the law.
"It is unacceptable to have law enforcement officers indulging in criminal activities because that sends out the wrong message to our communities.
"We just hope the law will deal harshly with Mosomane to set an example," he said.
Mosomane, 27, has been suspended with immediate effect for his alleged crime. He is facing a charge of corruption.