Police officers attached to Lenasia SAPS were arrested following an incident that occurred on 20 January. According to the complainant, he was at his residence when five police officers entered his premises and conducted a search, during which they found 75 boxes of cigarettes.
The officers allegedly threatened to arrest him and demanded R100,000 in exchange for not detaining him. The complainant refused to pay the money and was subsequently arrested and detained at Lenasia SAPS on charges of possession of illicit cigarettes.
After his release, the complainant returned to Lenasia SAPS to collect his confiscated cigarettes. However, only 53 boxes were recorded in the SAPS 13 register, with 22 boxes unaccounted for.A case of theft was reported to the Gauteng Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit, which conducted an investigation. A report obtained from SARS later confirmed that the cigarettes were legal.
The docket was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who decided that the officers should be prosecuted. Warrants of arrest were subsequently issued, and the officers were arrested on 17 December.
A lieutenant colonel, three sergeants and a constable appeared before the Roodepoort Magistrates Court. The case was postponed to 19 December for formal bail applications.
