A former SAPS employee has been sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment after being convicted of corruption for defrauding members of the public.

The Lejweleputswa Regional Court in Welkom sentenced Pitso Miya, a former administration clerk at the Welkom Police Station, on 21 July.

According to police, Miya falsely presented himself as a Designated Liquor Officer (DLO) and convinced an unsuspecting victim that he could arrange a liquor licence in exchange for a payment.

When the promised licence failed to materialise, the victim reported the matter to the police. This prompted an investigation led by WO Vusimusi Ngomane and WO Jacobus Palm. They established that between January and August 2024, Miya had accepted money from victims after falsely promising to secure liquor licences or employment within the SAPS. Miya resigned from the SAPS after realising that the investigation was closing in on him.

Eight cases were brought before the regional court, where Miya was found guilty of corruption.

He was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, of which eight years were suspended.

ALSO READ: Past crimes result in harsh sentencing