By OBAKENG MAJE
Two former policemen were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for corruption by the Upington Regional Court. In 2021 during lockdown, Sergeant Stanley Beukes (37) and Constable Thapelo Semamai (26) stopped a female pensioner driving around in the Upington area.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Cole Tebogo Thebe said Semaimai and Beukes demanded a COVID-19 travel permit, but the senior citizen did not have one.
“Then the officials demanded R200 gratification so that they could issue her with a permit. A payment of R200 was made as agreed and the complainant thereafter visited Upington Police Station to open a case of corruption.
“The Upington-based Hawk’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation team successfully investigated the matter resulting in the conviction of the accused. The employer, South African Police Services (SAPS) subjected both employees to an internal disciplinary process with the outcome being a dismissal,” Thebe said.
Meanwhile, the acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Brigadier Prince Mashimbye expressed his satisfaction with the conviction. Mashimbye said if they are to win this fight, they have to start cleaning their house first.
The Guardian 