Corrupt cop to stay behind bars

2011-12-22 22:46

Johannesburg - An Ekurhuleni metro police officer will spend Christmas behind bars after the Brakpan Magistrate's Court denied him bail on Thursday, the Gauteng community safety department said.

Patrick Shongwe, 38, cluster commander of the Ekurhuleni metro police department (EMPD), was arrested on charges of corruption earlier this week, spokesperson Thapelo Moiloa said.

He allegedly threatened motorists with arrest, unlawfully impounded vehicles, extorted money from motorists, and confiscated goods from street vendors.

Shongwe was the second EMPD officer arrested for corruption in December. Rolsten Pillay was arrested earlier this month following a tip-off. Moiloa said Pillay approached them for a plea bargain deal.

"He said he will provide us with more information on more people involved, if we have mercy on him. We investigated his claims and it led to the arrest of Shongwe.

"We believe that they operated as part of a syndicate... .So more arrests are imminent."

- SAPA