The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) commitment to rooting out corruption within its ranks has been demonstrated this week through two significant cases involving officers who allegedly abused their positions for financial gain.
On Tuesday, 24 June, the Mpumalanga Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Nelspruit handed down an eight-year prison sentence to former police sergeant Enock Remas Mnisi (41) for corruption. The court imposed an effective five-year direct imprisonment term, with three years suspended on condition that Mnisi does not commit similar offences during the suspension period.
The corruption incident dates back to 3 November 2020, when Mnisi was conducting roadblock duties near the Schoemanskloof turn-off in Ngodwana, outside Nelspruit. According to court evidence, Mnisi stopped a vehicle with passengers and demanded R20 000 from the complainant, falsely claiming the vehicle was transporting counterfeit goods.
The former sergeant’s scheme involved holding the complainant and passengers at Ngodwana Police Station’s holding cells while negotiating the bribe amount. Mnisi went as far as contacting the complainant’s employer, demanding that money be transferred to the complainant’s bank account to facilitate the payment.
After receiving a reduced amount, Mnisi took the complainant and a colleague to a nearby ATM under the pretense of fixing state vehicle tyres, where he withdrew R4 800. Only after securing the money did he release the detained individuals.
Senior State Advocate Derrick Mashego successfully presented evidence from multiple witnesses, including the complainant, passengers, and Mnisi’s colleague. The court rejected Mnisi’s testimony as “not possibly true” and convicted him of corruption.
During sentencing, the presiding officer noted that “the community expects the courts to deal with cases of this nature with stern action, imposing harsher sentences to send a strong message to would-be offenders.” As part of his sentence, Mnisi was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
In a separate incident, the Western Cape Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit arrested a 31-year-old constable on Wednesday, in Leeu Gamka. The officer appeared in the Leeu Gamka Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 26 June, facing corruption charges.
The allegations stem from an incident on 9 May, when the constable, stationed at Leeu Gamka SAPS, allegedly demanded R5 000 from a suspect in custody for fraud to secure his release. The suspect agreed to pay R3 000 upfront, with the balance due upon release.
In a brazen display of corruption, the constable used his personal mobile device to facilitate the payment directly into his bank account. However, despite receiving the money, the suspect was never released from custody, adding theft to the corruption charges.
The misconduct was reported and subsequently transferred to the Western Cape Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for investigation, leading to the constable’s arrest.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen (Adv.) Thembisile Patekile issued a stern warning following the constable’s arrest, emphasizing that “the South African Police Service remains committed to zero tolerance” regarding corruption within police ranks.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed Mnisi’s conviction and sentence through regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, stating: “This sentence re-affirms that no one is above the law and underscores the importance of protecting the integrity of the criminal justice system.”
SAPS continues to encourage public reporting of corrupt activities involving police members through: – Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800 701 701 – Crime Stop: 08600 10111
– MySAPS mobile application (anonymous reporting)
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