Archive photo. (Photo: Christine Oelofse/Maroela Media)
Two police officers in Limpopo were found guilty and sentenced, after they were caught trying to remove illegal cigarettes from a police evidence room.
Sgt. Maenetja Maropeng Ednah (47) and const. Kgatla Lehlogonolo Lazarus (39), both attached to the Modjadjiskloof police station, pleaded guilty in the regional court in Tzaneen on 10 June to charges of burglary with intent to steal and attempted theft, as well as malicious damage to property.
The court treated the two charges as one for sentencing purposes and sentenced each to four years imprisonment, which was suspended for five years on the condition that they are not convicted of similar offenses during that period.
The case stems from an incident on 20 March 2024 when the officer who was responsible for the SAP 13 evidence room received a call in which she was told that three policemen were found in the storage room while they were loading illegal cigarettes that they had seized into a SAPS vehicle.
The officer suspected foul play, because she had locked the storage room and the only keys were in her possession.
Two days later she was told that there was apparently a problem at the storage room which has since been resolved. When she and the station commander inspected the evidence room the next day, they discovered that the padlock on the door had been replaced.
According to the police, one of the suspects arrived later, unlocked the lock with a key and claimed to have caught the other two officers removing the cigarettes from the storage room. He reportedly said he ordered them to put the cigarettes back.
A criminal case of housebreaking with intent to steal and attempted theft was subsequently opened, because no one had permission to enter the evidence room.
The investigation was handled by the provincial anti-corruption and organized crime unit in Limpopo. After an extensive investigation, the senior public prosecutor in Tzaneen decided that the three officers should be charged.
The two convicted officers have meanwhile become state witnesses against Capt. Baloyi (61), the third accused in the case, became.
(Photo: Tania Heyns/Maroela Media)
The case against Baloyi was adjourned until July 13.
Lt. Gen. Thembi Hadebe, provincial police commissioner of Limpopo, welcomed the convictions and emphasized that criminal actions by police members will not be tolerated.
“We are committed to upholding the law and protecting the integrity of the South African Police Service. Any member who engages in criminal activities will experience the full force of the law,” said Hadebe.
She further warned that no one is above the law and that the SAPS continues with efforts to eradicate corruption and criminality within its own ranks.