An internal disciplinary investigation into the conduct of two police officers who allegedly allowed high-profile taxi boss Bonke Makalala to drive a police vehicle assigned to them is underway, according to police.
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On Wednesday, the officers and Makalala appeared in Simon’s Town Magistrates’ Court.
They were arrested on Tuesday evening as part of an investigation into alleged illegal activities involving Makalala.
According to Western Cape police spokesperson Novela Potelwa, the officers were charged under sections 56 and 59 of the Police Act as a result of the investigation.
‘The pair, aged 31 and 25, based at the Nyanga police station, are alleged to have allowed a member of the public to make unauthorised use of a state vehicle.’
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‘Scenes were captured in a video that was shared on social media earlier this year. The incident is said to have happened in the Ocean View area,’ said Potelwa.
She also stated that an internal disciplinary investigation into the conduct of the two police officers was underway.
Thembisile Patekile, the provincial police commissioner, has committed to ‘cleaning up the service in the province’ of police officers who violate the law and departmental guidelines.
Makalala (33) is accused of impersonating a police officer in connection with a video that allegedly shows him driving a police van and using a police radio.
He is facing a slew of charges stemming from crimes committed in 2018. He is scheduled to appear in Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for a bail application in connection with six charges, including murder and attempted murder.
The case was initially heard at the Athlone Magistrates’ Court before being transferred to Wynberg on Tuesday for logistical reasons, among other things.
He is being held in Malmesbury Prison.
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