Five sergeants attached have appeared in court on charges of corruption and extortion.
Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers
Five police sergeants attached to the Vanderbijlpark SAPS Task Team have appeared in court on charges of corruption and extortion after they allegedly demanded a R100,000 bribe from a local business owner in exchange for not making an arrest.
The accused are Sgt Johannes Thakhisi, 45, Sgt Ntombeko Seya, 44, Sgt Mpho Molatedi, 39, Sgt Nhlanhla Sithole, 42, and Sgt Tlokotsi Kgany, 36.
The group appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Regional Court on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, facing charges of corruption and extortion.
The spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, Lieutenant Colonel Granville Meyer, said the officers made their first court appearance following an investigation by the Hawks' Vaal Serious Corruption Investigation unit into an incident that allegedly took place on October 27, 2024.
Five Gauteng police officers face court over R100,000 bribery allegations
Image: Supplied
“It is alleged that in 2024, the five members conducted a raid at a local business, Oreo Supermarket, under the pretext of searching for illicit cigarettes,” Meyer said.
According to Meyer, the officers allegedly demanded a R100,000 bribe from the business owner to avoid an arrest.
“Following negotiations involving a third party, the demanded amount was reduced to R25,000,” he said.
The complainant then secretly contacted the Hawks' Vaal Serious Corruption Investigation unit and reported the alleged extortion.
“An application for an undercover sting operation was immediately authorised.
“Despite the suspects not taking the bait and not collecting the cash on the day because of operational delays, the investigation continued rigorously,” Meyer said.
He added that further reports of threats and intimidation against the complainant were also included in the case docket.
“Upon completion of the investigation, the case docket was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who authorised criminal prosecution,” Meyer said.
Meyer said summonses were served on all five accused on June 18, 2026, compelling their appearance in court on Tuesday.
The accused remain behind bars, and the matter was postponed to July 13, 2026, for further investigation.
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