Female police captain arrested for extorting R10k from staff

On the afternoon of January 9 in Witbank, Mpumalanga, a female police captain and two other male officers of the South African Police Service (SAPS) were arrested for corruption, defeating the objectives of justice, extortion, and kidnapping.

Two others including a female police captain are arrested for extortion.
The three bundled 13 accused undocumented construction workers into a police van and detained them there for hours. The suspects sought a bribe of R10,000 from the workers in exchange for their freedom.

“It is further stated that these men were employed at a particular Witbank building site. According to police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the owner of the property was also approached to pay for the release of the thirteen.

Eventually, the cash was given to the female police Captain and her accomplices and they were arrested shortly after by the officers of the Mpumalanga Anti-Corruption Unit.

As part of the inquiry, cash was also recovered from the suspects, according to a police spokesperson.

On Tuesday, 10 January, the accused came before the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court, where they were identified as Tshidi Anastacia Mamareko, 56, Santi Madoda Khumalo, 44, and Albert Ramuchu, 41.

The three were each granted R2000 bond and are scheduled to appear to the same court on March 1.

The female police captain will also be subjected to an internal investigation, which could result in disciplinary action awaiting the results of the investigation, according to Mdhluli.

Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, police commissioner of Mpumalanga, stated, “We cannot allow ourselves to be associated with corruption, and the law must take its course against lawbreakers, including those within our ranks, without fear of favor.”