6 Ekurhuleni metro officers released on bail after allegedly extorting a Congolese national
6 Ekurhuleni metro officers released on bail after allegedly extorting a Congolese national! Six officers from the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department’s (EMPD) drug unit have been granted bail after being accused of extorting a Congolese national in Boksburg, Gauteng.
The officers, identified as Falaza Shirinda (34), Lesiba Thaba (39), Siyabonga Yika (32), Cecilia Ngubeni (32), Kevin Seisa (31), and Rofhiwa Neloheni (34), were released on R3,000 bail each by the Boksburg Magistrates Court on Monday.
They are facing charges of robbery and defeating the ends of justice after their arrest at their Kempton Park offices on March 5, 2025.
The Alleged Incident
According to Lizzy Suping, spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), the incident took place on March 5, 2024.
The victim was stopped by the officers for an alleged traffic violation, after which they requested his identification documents to verify his residency status in South Africa.
Ekurhuleni metro officers
Following this, the officers took him to the Home Affairs office in Boksburg to confirm his legal status in the country. However, things quickly escalated.
Suping stated that after the verification process, the officers drove the victim to his home, located in one of Boksburg’s estates.
“They searched the house without a search warrant and confiscated an amount of money found on the premises,” Suping explained.
Following these events, the case was postponed to March 25, 2025 for further legal proceedings.
A Similar Case in Cape Town
Meanwhile, in Cape Town, another case of police extortion has emerged, with seven police officers arrested for allegedly extorting money from two shops owned by Chinese nationals in Milnerton, Western Cape.
Police spokesperson Colonel André Traut confirmed the arrests, stating that the officers were involved in a criminal protection racket where they demanded money from business owners in exchange for so-called “protection.”
“It is alleged that the members, accompanied by a suspect in civilian clothes, took an undisclosed amount of cash from the two shops, allegedly as protection money,” Traut said.
The incident was reported to police, prompting an immediate response from members of the Anti-Corruption Unit and the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Unit detectives.
“As the investigation unfolds, leads are pursued to identify more suspects who could also be arrested,” Traut added.
Concerns Over Police Corruption in South Africa
These two incidents have once again raised concerns about corruption within law enforcement in South Africa.
Cases of bribery, extortion, and abuse of power within police departments have been frequent in recent years, with many officers found guilty of using their positions to intimidate and exploit citizens.
A Pattern of Abuse
The Ekurhuleni and Milnerton cases follow a worrying pattern where police officers use their authority to target vulnerable individuals, including foreign nationals and business owners.
Legal experts and anti-corruption organizations have emphasized the need for stricter oversight of law enforcement agencies to prevent such abuses.
Public Reaction and Calls for Accountability
Many South Africans have expressed outrage over these cases, calling for harsher consequences for police officers found guilty of corruption.
Social media users have criticized the justice system’s handling of corrupt officers, arguing that low bail amounts and delays in prosecution allow corrupt individuals to evade accountability.
Government Response and Reforms
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has promised to intensify investigations into police misconduct.
Additionally, Minister of Police Bheki Cele has stated that any officers found guilty of corruption will face immediate dismissal and criminal prosecution.
“The South African public deserves a police force that upholds integrity and serves with honor. We cannot allow corruption to continue undermining trust in law enforcement,” Cele said in a recent statement.
What Happens Next?
Both the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officers and the Milnerton police officers are set to appear in court in the coming weeks.
The public will be watching closely to see whether the justice system will hold them accountable or if this will become yet another case where corrupt police officers escape consequences.
With growing pressure on law enforcement agencies to root out corruption, these cases serve as a critical test for the country’s fight against police misconduct.
