Pretoria - A police colonel, who was arrested on Monday for alleged corruption in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, is out on bail.
Colonel Mohale Andrew Masia (51), who is attached to the Sophiatown visible policing unit, allegedly solicited a R6 000 bribe in October last year in exchange for securing bail for a suspect and getting his case docket destroyed.
Masia was released on R5 000 bail and his case was postponed to 12 November 2015 to allow for further police investigation, Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said.
Earlier, national police released a statement claiming the officer was arrested on drug related charges. This, Brigadier Mulaudzi said, was incorrect. The police have now issued a statement with the correct information.
In a separate incident, four suspected drug dealers appeared before the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court and the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court after they were arrested in the early hours of Monday.
Brigadier Mulaudzi said the Hawks had obtained information that the quartet was dealing in drugs. An operation, which included Crime Intelligence in Gauteng, K9 and Tactical Response Team (TRT) was launched to ascertain their dealings.
The suspects unknowingly sold drugs amounting to over R70 000 to undercover cops.
Dirk van Schalkwyk (63), Kevin Williams (34) and Bullie Cero (33) were all remanded in custody until 19 October 2015 when they will make a formal bid for bail.
The case of the fourth suspect, Wyn Martin (29), was postponed to Tuesday. - SAnews.gov.za
