The corruption and extortion case against two women, a former police constable and a civilian, is set to be heard in the Virginia Magistrates’ Court on 24 July. The matter against the sacked officer, Nomthandazo Patience Pali (42), and her accomplice, Lydia Simayile (30), was postponed to the new date during their appearance in August last year.
The pair face charges of corruption, extortion, and intimidation.
The case emanates from an attempt to extort money from a man who Simayile had opened a rape case against. Apparently, Simayile had an affair with this man. The police investigation revealed that Pali allegedly colluded with Simayile to extort money from him.
Capt. Stephen Thakeng, police spokesperson in the Lejweputswa region, said the two women were arrested in March last year after the man had blown the whistle.
He said the police confiscated R5 000 found in the office of the fired constable, adding that preliminary investigation revealed the women had planned to extort R15 000 from the man.
Pali was attached to the Meloding police station in Virginia. Thakeng confirmed that Pali was fired from the police service after the departmental disciplinary committee found her guilty of contravention of the police’s code of conduct, and breach of an oath of office. The pair has been remanded in custody since their arrest last year.
