The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Thursday that a Limpopo police warrant officer apprehended for extorting cash from a suspect involved in drug dealing, has come before the court on charges relating to corruption and extortion.
“A 52- year-old Warrant Officer, Tlabo Mapotla, appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate Court in connection with a charge of corruption and extortion, worth R6000,” said Limpopo NPA spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.
“Tlabo Mapotla is a detective warrant officer at Westernburg police station. It is alleged that Mapotla extorted money from the suspect whom police had arrested on drug dealing charges in 2018. He demanded money in order to destroy the docket.”
Earlier this week, Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (Hawks) in Polokwane apprehended Mapotla after he got the R6,000 gratification from the suspect.
“The matter was postponed to 20 October 2020 for formal bail application. The accused will remain in custody,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.
Earlier this week, spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo, Captain Matimba Maluleke, said the suspect handed over R6,000 to the police officer, but the detective requested for more cash and that led to the victim reporting the officer to the Hawks.
“The suspect was arrested in the city immediately after receiving a R6000 gratification from the victim. The suspect was also found in possession of more than R27 000 in cash,” said Maluleke.
