The Ficksburg Magistrates’ Court has convicted Mubien Anwary (43) on charges of offering a bribe to two members of the SAPS Crime Prevention unit in Ficksburg.
Anwary, who holds a Lesotho passport, was sentenced on Monday 16 February to a fine of R150 000 or five years’ imprisonment, of which R90 000 or three years’ imprisonment has been suspended for five years.
The court heard that on 25 July 2024, SAPS members acted on information regarding a truck allegedly transporting illicit cigarettes valued at approximately R1,2 million. Officers proceeded to a residence in Ficksburg, where the consignment was discovered.
While the crime scene was being processed, Anwary reportedly arrived at the premises in a black BMW. He called the two officers, both holding the rank of sergeant, to his vehicle and offered them R15 000 in exchange for allowing the truck to leave without further action.
The officers refused the offer and immediately reported the matter to the Serious Corruption Investigation unit of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks). Detectives arrested the suspect on the scene and confiscated the consignment of cigarettes, which was subsequently handed over to customs officials for further processing.
