A Hillbrow police captain is expected to appear at the Johannesburg magistrate’s court on November 4 for defeating the ends of justice after he let a suspected drug dealer off the hook.
The National Prosecuting Authority said the 56-year-old captain received a call from the owner of a hotel in Hillbrow who needed police assistance.
Police spokesperson Lloyd Ramovha explained: “It is alleged that on 18 October 2019, the owner of a hotel in Hillbrow called the captain to assist with an apprehended tenant who was reportedly found in possession of suspected drugs and instruments used to manufacture the drugs.
“After questioning the suspected drug dealer, the captain inspected the bags and found chemicals in containers and substances used to manufacture Cat. The officer reportedly summoned a patrol van for assistance and seized the items.
“The drug dealer was transported to the [police] station but before the exhibits were booked in the requisite book, the captain reportedly excused the members, indicating that he will handle the case.”
An investigation by the Hawks revealed that the suspect was never detained in the holding cells and that the drugs were booked as property found abandoned on the street and were stored in the exhibit room.
Gauteng provincial head of the Hawks, Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa, said the crime busters will continue to relentlessly pursue those who are supposed to uphold the law but instead transgress it. “We have no room for corrupt individuals in our ranks,” said Kadwa.
For more crime stories click here.
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa. To Subscribe to Sunday World, click here.
