Two former police officers convicted and sentenced for corruption will swap their blue uniform for the orange of prison should they fail to pay fines issued to them during their sentencing.
The Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court imposed sentences on Wednesday, 30 November, after finding the pair guilty on charge of corruption.
The court sentenced Phillip Molefi Mofokeng (57) to a fine of R8 000 or five years’ imprisonment, and Kgeola John Mofokeng (41) to R40 000 or six years’ imprisonment.
Phillip held the rank of warrant officer and John was constable. Their sentencing is the culmination of investigations by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team based in Bloemfontein.
Captain Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, says the sentences are wholly suspended for five years.
“Both accused were declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act,” he said. Singo said the conviction originates from bribery incidents which took place in 2012 whereby bribes were taken from undocumented immigrants from Lesotho, to enter South Africa.
Corruption activities happened at the Caledonspoort port of entry near Fouriesburg.
“They were allowing illegal immigrants from Lesotho without proper documents to enter the country, charging each R150,” he said.
Singo said after the bribery activities were reported, an investigation was launched, culminating in their arrest. He said they were dismissed from the police service after they were found guilty for the same crime by the department.
