Lentswe, Potchefstroom - Eight police officers were arrested for the theft of thousands of illegal cigarettes. The police officers of which five are attached to the Potch Flying Squad were arrested on Tuesday July 15 by the Hawks. Their arrest emanate from an incident in November last year where they allegedly stopped a truck near Ventersdorp.
According to Col Katlego Mogale, spokesperson, they then proceeded to search the truck and allegedly discovered boxes full of illegal cigarettes. “Preliminary investigation by Crime Intelligence revealed that a case of possession of illicit cigarettes was registered but less boxes were taken into police hold than what were originally discovered. Further investigation then led Crime Intelligence s to a house in Potchefstroom, where several boxes of cigarettes, with an estimated value of R125 000, were reportedly found in one of the suspects’ vehicle’s.’’
Following an investigation, the accused were apprehended and charged with theft and defeating the ends of justice.
Sergeant Marvin Demande (38), Sergeant Moses Dhlamini (41), Sergeant Funekile Maqanda (40), Sergeant Tsietsi Ramadie (47) and Sergeant Mothibedi Ramohanoe (46), who are attached to the Potchefstroom Flying Squad; Constable Solomen Landt (43), Sergeant Jan Morakabe (43) and Sergeant Josia Mothebe (42), attached to the Ventersdorp Police Station appeared in the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court and were granted R1000 bail each. The case was postponed to October 9.
The North West acting Hawks Head, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, has welcomed the arrest and applauded the team’s efforts.
