Cop moonlights as sex worker
2004-05-24 22:26
Borrie la Grange
Johannesburg - A former policeman says he was so desperate to supplement his
meagre salary that he was a part-time sex worker for six years.
He resigned in 2001 and has since then worked full-time as a prostitute.
The issue of police members moonlighting has been in the news lately with
claims that a large proportion of the force top up their salaries with
after-hours work, often as security guards or night club bouncers.
Four Pretoria policemen who were shot during a warehouse robbery in
Johannesburg recently, were allegedly working as security guards.
'Much better than police work'
Police members may not freelance without the national or provincial
commissioner's permission, in terms of police regulations.
"What I am doing now is much better than police work," said the 34-year-old
former police inspector from Pretoria.
His former commander and two former colleagues of about 10 years, confirmed
that he was a policeman.
"No one can survive only on a police salary. My wife and I had to keep our
heads above water and could not do it on a police salary," the man said.
"I was then earning a gross income of R6 800 and had to pay off my house and
car. My home bond was R2 500 a month and after deductions I was often left
with only R400."
Told to withdraw ad
In 1995 he decided to "do his own thing". Up till 2001 he earned between
R8 000 and R10 000 extra per month while continuing as a policeman.
"Everyone at work knew what I was doing. It did not interfere with my police
work, but I was often tired at work as a result of the late nights.
"I had an advertisement in a newspaper and was told in 2001 to take it out
and to stop. I refused.
There was an internal investigation because I
ignored orders and because my part time job harmed the image of the police."
According to his website he only has male clients and he charges R220 per
hour or R850 a night.
He said he was always loyal towards the police and never arrived to meet
clients in uniform.
"Policemen have other ways to increase their money,
illegal ways, such as theft and corruption.
"At least I was honest."
- Beeld