POLOKWANE: A senior police officer stationed at Ohrigstad Police Station in the Sekhukhune District, in Limpopo Province, is expected to reappear in court on 28 October. Warrant Officer Tikishi Gilbert Makofane’s (56) appearance in court followed his arrest on Thursday, 16 October.
He is facing a charge of defeating the ends of justice. Col. Malesela Ledwaba, spokesperson for the Limpopo Police, said in a statement released, the Praktiseer Magistrates’ Court granted the officer bail of R500 on his first appearance the same day he was arrested. He said the matter will continue in the Leboeng Magistrates’ Court after a decision was made during the first hearing.
Ledwaba said Makofane’s arrest stemmed from an incident involving a minibus that “mysteriously” disappeared from the police station premises in November last year.
“Police investigations revealed that on 15 November 2024 at about 09:00, members of the Ohrigstad SAPS Crime Prevention Unit intercepted a minibus that was transporting suspected stolen water pipes. The occupants allegedly failed to provide satisfactory responses about the origin of the water pipes, leading to their arrest. The minibus used in the commission of the crime was also confiscated. While other members of the police were busy registering the docket, Makofane allegedly took the keys to the minibus and handed them over to the minibus owner. He did so without implementing proper procedures and never informed the investigating officer,” explained Ledwaba.
He said upon completion of the seizure forms, the police who were registering the docket then discovered that the minibus was no longer where it was parked on the premises and it could not be located.
Ledwaba said the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit launched an investigation regarding Makofane’s alleged defeating the ends of justice. This culminated in the officer’s arrest. The investigation is ongoing.
