Cop arrested moments after taking bribes from relatives of two women arrested for shoplifting.

Following his arrest by the Hawks for allegedly soliciting and receiving a bribe, a police detective is scheduled to appear in front of the Temba Magistrate's Court this morning.

Colonel Katlego Mogale, the Hawks' spokesperson, stated that the SAPS sergeant allegedly offered a bribe to the relatives of two women who had been arrested for shoplifting.

According to Mogale's statement, "a 32-year-old sergeant will be making his first appearance before the Temba Magistrate's Court this morning facing charges of corruption and extortion following his arrest yesterday, February 2, 2023, at Temba police station by the Hawks’ serious corruption investigation assisted by counter intelligence investigation."

She stated that the officer allegedly demanded R2,000 from each of the two women who were detained.

"The member attached to the Temba detectives allegedly solicited R4 000 (R2 000 each) in recompense from the relatives of two female suspects who had been arrested for shoplifting," according to the report.

According to Mogale, the Hawks team received the information and set up an operation.

"During the problematic activity, the suspect was given over R3 000 and captured yet in his control, the group found R2 900, and the equilibrium was tracked down on another part."

Mogale stated that more arrests are imminent and that the investigation is ongoing.

The charges of extortion, kidnapping, and corruption were brought against three suspects, one of whom was a female police captain, last month.

The three people accused were policewoman Tshidi Anastacia Mamareko, 56, Santi Madoda Khumalo, 44, and Albert Ramuchu, 41, all of Mpumalanga.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the suspects—a woman and two men—were apprehended in Witbank after receiving money to release undocumented foreign nationals they had arrested.

He stated, "The report states that the three suspects reportedly took 13 alleged undocumented persons into a police-marked van for hours and demanded a bribe of R10,000 for their freedom."

It is alleged that the foreign nationals detained were working on a Witbank construction site.

"It appears that the premises owner was also contacted to pay for the 13's release. Mdhluli stated that the three suspects were arrested by members of the Mpumalanga provincial anti-corruption unit after cash was allegedly paid to them after a few hours.

As part of the investigation, the trio's possession of the cash was also seized.

The Emalahleni Magistrate's Court granted the three accused individuals bail in the amount of R2,000 each in January.