Picture: The Hawks vehicle/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
Four people briefly appeared before the Springbok Magistrate’s Court for illegal dealing in drugs and corruption. Gherswin Van Wyk (35), Jasper Pretorius (40), Mothusi Molale (45), and Michael September (43) were arrested by the Upinton-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in a takedown operation in the early hours of Monday at Bergsig Township, near Springbok.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Tebogo Thebe said, the investigation on the activities of the accused persons commenced in December 2019. Thebe further said the investigation was full-fledged after the police officials were fingered to be involved.
“The investigation team allegedly observed the suspects moving drugs such as dagga, methamphetamine (tik), and mandrax worth approximately R13 000 over the observation period. Two of the accused persons, Mothusi Molale and Kelvin Brown were police officials at the time of the commission of a crime, the duo later resigned.
“The 5th accused person, Kelvin Brown (44) is currently in custody awaiting trial on an unrelated matter at a local Correctional Services Facility. The investigation team visited the facility to charge him with three counts of corruption,” he said.
Thebe added that, all accused persons were remanded in custody and their case was postponed to 20 June 2023 for formal bail application.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Provincial Head of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Steve Mabuela lauded the investigation team on the sterling job achieved thus far.
“The law enforcement agencies cannot harbour criminals, when they are identified, we will flush them out,” concluded Mabuela.
The Guardian 