SASOLBURG – A 43-year-old police sergeant, William Mahlangu, based in Sasolburg in the Free State, has been remanded in custody after being denied bail on corruption and extortion case involving a civilian. He reappeared in the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, facing charges of extortion and corruption. The case followed Mahlangu’s arrest after allegedly extorting R12000 from a civilian.

Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, police spokesperson, confirmed the development, adding that the case was postponed to 31 August for further investigation. “The arrest took place on 10 July after he allegedly solicited gratification from a 41-year-old complainant, in exchange for scrapping of the assault charge,” said Mbambo. The Free State Police Anti-Corruption Unit (FSPACU) busted the officer during an undercover entrapment operation. Mbambo said the whistleblower was a man who was being investigated by the officer for alleged assault.

Instead of processing the matter legally, Mahlangu reportedly told the complainant “there is no case” and suggested they could “work something out” to prevent his arrest. Mbambo said the complainant was subsequently coerced into sending R2 000 via electronic funds transfer (EFT) to prevent his arrest by the officer. She said the officer thereafter allegedly escalated the extortion. He allegedly returned to the complainant, claiming that the prosecutor demanded a further R10 000 to drop the charges.

Mbambo said the complainant reportedly responded that he did not have the funds and promised to make an arrangement. The complainant then blew the whistle, and the matter was brought to the attention of the FSPACU, leading to a formal entrapment operation. Mbambo said Mahlangu was arrested upon collecting the marked entrapment money, which was recovered from his possession.

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