Nine arrested, four bakkies seized after looting of maize truck
Additionally, four bakkies that were used to load the maize meal were seized.
The police were summoned to the scene where they discovered several community members looting and loading maize into the bakkies.
Following the incident, more vehicles kept arriving at the scene and unlawfully removed the maize cargo.
The Harrismith Public Order Police Unit arrested the nine suspects, aged 30 to 63, in possession of suspected stolen property.
The four bakkies were loaded with maize estimated to be worth R90 000.
Two police officers have been arrested for allegedly demanding a bribe from a liquor store in Harrismith, Free State.
According to a police statement, the police officers visited the liquor store in March 2025 and presented themselves as officials from Bloemfontein.
They claimed that they were conducting an inspection to verify the authenticity of the liquor being sold.
After completing their inspection, the police officers allegedly demanded a R5000 bribe from the liquor store owner.
The owner said that she only had R2 500, which the officers accepted.
The Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit arrested the two suspects, aged 44 and 45 respectively, who are from Bethlehem Public Order Policing Unit.
Captain Loraine Earle confirmed with The South African that the suspects appeared at the Harrismith Magistrate's Court today and their case was postponed to 18 June 2025 for them to apply for bail.
The Provincial Commissioner of Police in the Free State, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, said that they will continue their fight against crime, even if SAPS members are involved.'
'We will continue to fight corruption relentlessly. If those involved are from within our own ranks, we will not hesitate to take decisive action. No one is above the law, and we remain committed to ensuring accountability and upholding the integrity of the SAPS,' said Motswenyane.
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