Five South African police sergeants have appeared before the Vanderbijlpark Regional Court after being charged with corruption and extortion over allegations that they demanded a R100,000 bribe from a supermarket owner during a police raid in 2024.
The accused officers — Sergeants Johannes Thakhisi, Ntombeko Seya, Mpho Molatedi, Nhlanhla Sithole and Tlokotsi Kganya — are attached to the Vanderbijlpark SAPS Task Team and made their first court appearance on 7 July 2026.
According to police, the case has been postponed until 13 July to allow investigators to complete additional enquiries.
Hawks Investigation Follows Alleged Supermarket Raid
South African Police Service spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Granville Meyer said the investigation was conducted by the Hawks’ Vaal Serious Corruption Investigation unit following an incident that allegedly occurred on 27 October 2024.
Investigators allege the five officers carried out a raid at Oreo Supermarket under the pretext of searching for illicit cigarettes.
During the operation, the officers allegedly demanded R100,000 from the business owner in exchange for not making an arrest.
Police said negotiations involving a third party later reduced the alleged demand to R25,000.
Instead of complying, the complainant secretly contacted the Hawks, triggering a formal corruption investigation.
Authorities subsequently obtained approval to conduct an undercover sting operation aimed at gathering further evidence against the suspects.
Case To Continue After Further Investigation
Although the undercover operation did not result in the suspects collecting the money because of operational delays, investigators continued building the case.
According to Meyer, additional allegations involving threats and intimidation against the complainant were later incorporated into the investigation.
Once investigators completed the case docket, it was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who authorised criminal charges against the five officers.
Court summonses were served on all five accused on 18 June 2026, requiring them to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Regional Court this week.
The matter has now been postponed to 13 July while investigators finalise outstanding aspects of the case.
The arrests form part of broader efforts by South African law enforcement agencies to investigate allegations of corruption within public institutions and strengthen accountability among serving police officers.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Source: The Citizen