Seven police officers of the Western Cape were arrested this week after they failed to submit an undisclosed amount of money as evidence they found during a raid at a house in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch.
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Provincial police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi says the complainant sent his two brothers to make a cash deposit at a local bank in the area on Wednesday. ‘On the way, they were apprehended by police officials who returned with them to a premises in Kayamandi, searched the premises and ultimately confiscated a consignment of drugs.’
As per News24, the men were subsequently arrested on a charge of dealing drugs.
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Swartbooi says the commander of the SAPS members who executed the arrest received information that the money the police officers confiscated was never declared and registered. As a result, an immediate search of the officers – six men and one woman – was launched.
‘After a search was launched amongst the SAPS members, cash [was] recovered in [the] members’ bags, jackets and vehicles.’ The officers were charged with theft and appeared in the Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Reagen Allen, police oversight and community safety MEC, welcomes the swift action by the commander of the unit after realizing that the officers had not registered the confiscated cash. ‘I will engage the provincial commissioner about this matter. I further intend [to visit] the Stellenbosch area in due course to conduct oversight.’
‘There will never be a time where individuals who should uphold, protect and enforce the law, should make themselves guilty of not obeying our laws,’ he says. ‘This alleged action goes entirely against their oath and our Constitution. They deserve to have their blue uniform changed to orange overalls.’
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