Police officers arrested for copper theft in Phalaborwa
Two Police officers aged 43 and 50 have been arrested for stealing and selling exhibits containing copper which were seized during commission of various criminal cases in and around Phalaborwa, Limpopo.
The pair was authorized to dispose of the exhibits, which were seized in the area. They proceeded to the metal shop in Phalaborwa.
Upon arrival, they sold the exhibits in five separate transactions whereby they received cash.
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Upon arrival at the police station, the only money deposited at finance was from one of them, being only a quarter of the amount instead of the whole amount as received from the dealer.
The female police officer went back to a local scrap metal shop and sold the other copper without authorization. She received an undisclosed amount of cash from the dealer. The money was never deposited at the SAPS finance.
CASE OPENED AGAINST TWO POLICE OFFICERS FOR THEFT OF COPPER IN PHALABORWA
A case was opened and transferred to the Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for further investigations. Subsequent investigations were conducted leading to the two police officers being charged with theft.
They are due to appear before Phalaborwa Magistrate’s Court on 24 February 2025, facing charges of theft.
Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the arrests. She commended the members for thorough investigative work that led to these members being charged. Hadebe says this will ultimately help in ridding this Province of any corrupt related activities.