3 police officers found guilty of soliciting a bribe
The KZN Serious Corruption Investigation component of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) secured a conviction in a high-profile corruption matter involving three police officials.
The accused, Madoda Mduduzi Mhlongo (56), Siyabonga Herbert Mabhida (51) and Prince Ntsikelelo Shezi (50), who were attached to the Provincial Taxi Violence unit in Durban, were found guilty by the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday.
The trio was remanded in custody for sentencing on 19 June.
ALSO READ: 3 cops charged for defeating the ends of Justice
It was reported that on 13 March 2019, the victim was approached by the three police officials who alleged that they were under pressure from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to arrest two suspects for the murder of key witnesses in a case they were investigating.
The officials solicited a bribe of R200 000 from the victim in lieu of preventing the arrests.
The trio warned that failure to pay would result in the suspects being arrested that same night.
Later that evening, the police officials arrived at one of the suspect's homes, reinforcing the threat.
The matter was reported to the Serious Corruption Investigation component's head office.
A police operation was authorised in terms of Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977), and on 29 March 2019, the three implicated police officials, who were all warrant officers, were arrested after receiving the R200 000.
The trio appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 1 April 2019 and were released on R10 000 bail each.
Their trial commenced on 1 March 2021 and ran over an extended period until they were found guilty of corruption.
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