Four Worcester police officers in the Western Cape were arrested after allegedly accepting bribes from shopkeepers who would sell cigarettes during the seclusion period.
The two deputy officers, aged 45 and 48, and two sergeants, aged 43 and 53 respectively, were arrested on Monday.
“It is alleged that the officers accepted bribes from numerous shopkeepers in the Worcester area between June 4 and 21,” Capt. Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said.
The shopkeepers allegedly paid the money to prevent them from being arrested as they were not allowed to sell cigarettes under the seclusion regulations.
“The officers were identified and linked to incidents through the statements of witnesses, footage, service records and vehicle location reports.”
According to Van Wyk, the files were submitted to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape and it was decided that the officers of corruption should be charged.
“The management of the South African Police Service remains committed to eradicating all forms of corruption.”
