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21 dismissed police officers face criminal charges

A group of 21 police officers from different units in Welkom and Thabong have been dismissed from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and will appear in court next month on charges of corruption‚ theft and defeating the ends of justice.

The SAPS said on Thursday the dismissal of these members brought the total number of members dismissed from the police service in the last three years to 1‚463. “More than 250 members remain on suspension of which about two-thirds are suspended without pay.”

The 21 police officers are expected to appear in the Welkom magistrate court for trial starting in September till November.

“They are criminally charged with corruption‚ theft and defeating the ends of justice. This is after they were shamefully dismissed as members of the organisation during their departmental trial‚” Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said in a statement on Thursday.

“The officials were arrested after the gathering of intensive intelligence information about illegal activities involving gold dust in the gold fields area.

“During the departmental trial‚ the deliberations were … based on their involvement in offences ranging from; contravening the Precious Metals Act‚ defeating the ends of justice‚ theft‚ corruption and money laundering in Gold-Fields.

 “These members‚ from different units in Welkom and Thabong‚ were arrested by the Hawks last year after months of intense investigation.

 “They were all dismissed on 30 July 2015 for departmental and criminal offences they had committed in September 2014.

 “This sanction is an example that corruption and misconduct will not be tolerated within the ranks of South African Police Service. The national commissioner remains resolute in her belief that there is no place for criminals in the SAPS.”

 “One of the primary reasons I have ordered the setting up of the National Trial Investigative Unit is to speedily investigate and deal with rogue police officers”‚ said General Riah Phiyega.

“I urge every member of the SAPS to let these dismissals be a reminder of what the outcome will be if any member is caught transgressing.”

 

 

 

 

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