A Delft police constable has been released on R3,000 bail after appearing in court over allegations that he accepted R500 to make a police case docket disappear.
The officer appeared in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 2 September, after being arrested by the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit earlier in the week.
He faces charges of theft, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
The case has been postponed to 22 October.
Officer arrested over missing docket
The constable was arrested at Delft SAPS on Monday, 31 August, following an investigation into a missing case docket.
Western Cape police said the Anti-Corruption Unit acted after receiving information about the missing file.
“A thorough investigation into the case was conducted and the member was identified and arrested,” SAPS said.
A source with knowledge of the investigation told the Cape Argus that the officer allegedly made the docket disappear in exchange for R500.
That allegation has not yet been tested in court, and SAPS has not publicly confirmed the amount allegedly involved.
SAPS warns against corruption
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi warned police officers that members involved in corrupt activity would face consequences.
The case has again drawn attention to alleged corruption within SAPS and the risks created when official case files are interfered with.
Police dockets can contain witness statements, evidence, investigative notes and other information used as cases move through the criminal justice system.
Tampering with or removing a docket can therefore potentially disrupt an investigation or prosecution.
Details of original case unclear
SAPS has not disclosed what offence was being investigated in the case linked to the missing docket.
Police have also not confirmed whether the docket has since been recovered.
The constable remains accused and the allegations against him have not yet been proven in court.
Authorities have urged members of the public with information about corruption involving police officers to report it through the Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 701 701.