Hebron-Corruption and fraud impoverishes businesses and requires those on its receiving end to take a stand to uproot it, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Monday.

In commending the Hebron businessman who reported a police officer who tried to collect unauthorised donation from him, Premier Modise called on businesses and members of the public who are approached for coerced donations and bribes to report such approaches to law enforcement agencies.

“Those approached for donations should ensure that their contributions do not benefit the individuals who are approaching them on behalf of the organisations but the cause towards which they are donating. One way of achieving this is to insist on depositing requested donations into bank accounts in the names of the beneficiary organisations and issuing of receipts for donations,” emphasised Modise.

According to police, Warrant Officer Vusimuzi Sibiya is to appear in the Brits Magistrates Court tomorrow for a formal bail application.

The 44 year old officer stationed at Hebron Police Station was arrested last Monday while allegedly trying to collect unauthorized donation money from one of the local businessmen.Spokesperson for the North West Police, Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said that the member allegedly went to the manager of one of local businesses on Tuesday under the pretext that he was sent by a senior police official to request donation for year-end function.

Ngubane said that according to information, in the process the manager called the police without the knowledge of the member to confirm the request. The manager was informed that nobody was sent to request for donations, and he requested the member to come back later.

“It is alleged that the member did not come back as requested and only went back to the businessman few days after. Upon his arrival the businessman informed the senior police official that the member came to collect the donation,” Ngubane said.

The senior official went to the businessman and took the official to Brits Police Station and opened a case of corruption and fraud.

Further investigations were conducted and it is alleged that the member had successfully collected money under the same pretext.

Premier Modise also commends senior police official for the swift and appropriate action that led to the arrest and for instituting internal disciplinary investigations.

“This should send a clear and unequivocal message that corruption within the SAPS is not tolerated and that police will not spare their own when it comes to corruption,” added Modise.
The Premier echoed Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo’s appreciation of the cooperation of the business community with the police in exposing dishonest members.-TDN
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