Four Policemen are on trial for corruption in Ntuzuma

The corruption case against Constables NS Zathelela, MKB Ngcobo, NS Nxuza and Warrant Officer T Mkhonza, all from Ntuzuma and Kwamashu SAPS, is currently on trial at the Ntuzuma Regional Court, KwaZulu-Natal.

It is alleged that the above mentioned members were investigating a robbery case and they booked out the complainant from the cells and demanded cash from him. The complainant had opened a case of assault against the policemen. He was allegedly taken to a forest Ndwedwe and told to run. He feared that the policemen wanted to shoot and kill him in that forest – he then begged for his life. It is alleged that the policemen then demanded money in return for not shooting the complainant. After the complainant agreed to give the policemen money, he was taken to his home to fetch his bank card and ID book. The policemen then took the complainant to his bank and demanded that he withdraw a sum of ten thousand rand (R10 000). This happened while the complainant was in leg irons. After the money was handed over to the said policemen the complainant was booked back into the cells.

The case has been on trial since 15 July 2013. Closing arguments and judgment will be heard on 18 July 2013.

Warrant Officer Mkhonza is an accused in another corruption case investigated by the IPID. In that case, he was arrested for extorting money from a taxi owner - he is also implicated in an attempt to bribe a magistrate who presided over his bail application.

An IPID investigator was threatened with death in relation to these cases. A case of intimidation has been opened.

Issued by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate

For enquiries:
IPID National Spokesman
Moses Dlamini
082 809 1927
mdlamini@ipid.gov.za