Fire at Barberton Police Station Destroys Archived Dockets
Authorities are currently investigating a fire that broke out at the archive office of Barberton Police Station, resulting in the destruction of archived dockets. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli confirmed that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the extent of the damage is yet to be determined.
Possible Link to Arrested Officers
The fire, which occurred around 11am on Thursday, was noticed by members of the South Africa Police Service (Saps) who immediately alerted the authorities. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, but some archived dockets were burnt. While the exact number of destroyed dockets is unknown, a team of experts has been assigned to investigate the incident.
Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, the Acting Provincial Commissioner of Saps in Mpumalanga, stated that they are not currently linking the fire to the recent arrests of four police officers. The case involving the arrested officers is being handled by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Unit (Hawks), and an inquiry is expected to provide more clarity on the situation.
Court Officials and Hawks Officer Face Corruption Charges
In a separate case, Morongwa Joyce Thobejane, a stenographer at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court, and Warrant Officer Matladi Jeridah Chokoe from the Hawks, appeared in court for allegedly soliciting a bribe to make a case “disappear.” The accused were arrested in October and are facing charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Limpopo, the allegations stem from a case in January 2020 involving a conspiracy to commit murder. Thobejane and Chokoe allegedly offered to make the case disappear in exchange for payment, with the complainant initially paying R1,000 and later being asked for an additional R20,000.
Both cases highlight the importance of upholding integrity and ethical conduct within law enforcement agencies to maintain public trust and confidence. Investigations into both incidents are ongoing to ensure accountability and justice.
