Three civil servants, two police constables and an immigration official based in Ficksburg, face charges of corruption and extortion. They were released on bail of R2 000 each after appearing in the Ficksburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
They are Tsoloane Matthews Tsoloane (36), Tsediso Lawrence Matsaneng (36) and Emmanuel Sefobi (45), immigration officer. Their arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team based in Bloemfontein followed an investigation by the elite crime fighting unit.
WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, said the suspects allegedly colluded to extort R2 500 from a male complainant whose passport was confiscated.
“The immigration officer wrongfully confiscated the complainant’s passport at the Ficksburg border gate, alleging that it is invalid.
“A police official who was with the immigration officer, told the complainant that he can assist him to get his passport back at a price. He demanded R2 500 from the complainant,” said Matoti.
She said the complainant complied and paid the money to have his passport returned.
“The three accused shared the money amongst themselves. Only R600 was recovered in the possession of one of the three suspects,” said Matoti.
The matter was remanded to 26 April for further investigation.
