A police constable from Fouriesburg is on the wrong side of the law.
Morena Lehola faces a charge of theft after the provincial anti-corruption unit bust him for theft and selling stolen goods.
Lehola is expected to reappear in the Fouriesburg Magistrate’s Court today (16/02), following a brief appearance on Wednesday (09/02) after his arrest the previous day.
The officer is attached to the Fouriesburg Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit and stayed at the Fouriesburg police barracks.
According to Sgt. Martin Xuma, provincial police spokesperson, Lehola is expected to apply for bail when appearing in court today.
He was arrested after being implicated in the alleged theft of a fridge, and subsequently being absent from work without leave from December 2021. It emerged that Lehola had been caught off guard on 11 August after failing to give an explanation about a fridge that apparently was due to be sold at a local shop.
Xuma said Lehola had allegedly been spotted by his fellow police members at the Fouriesburg police barracks, loading the fridge on a white double cab bakkie.
He said the van transporting the fridge had been driven by a civilian. The vehicle was not confiscated.
“The bakkie was followed to a shop in town, where on arrival the driver was questioned about the fridge. The driver then informed the police members that he was waiting for the constable to arrive.
“Lehola arrived at the shop, and he was also questioned about the fridge.”
Xuma said the suspect had driven off when questioned. Upon this, Xuma said, the shop owner was questioned.
“The shop owner reportedly told the police members he had requested to first see the fridge after Lehola had allegedly came to him about selling one. A case of theft of a fridge valued at R9 000 was opened for investigation by the provincial anti-corruption unit.”
According to Xuma, further investigation linked the officer to the theft of other state belongings – a bread cutting machine and steel drainpipes, valued at R9 500. The items were reportedly stolen in June 2021 at the said police barracks.
