Police Officer In Court For Extorting Cash From Detained Drug Dealer

The Limpopo police warrant officer who was apprehended for extorting cash from a suspect involved in drug dealing, has been taken to court on charges relating to corruption and extortion.

Earlier this week, spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo, Captain Matimba Maluleke, said the suspect handed over R6,000 to the police officer, but the detective requested for more cash and that led to the victim reporting the officer to the Hawks.

Maluleke said:

“The suspect was arrested in the city immediately after receiving a R6000 gratification from the victim. The suspect was also found in possession of more than R27 000 in cash.”

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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Thursday that a appeared in Polokwane Magistrate court.

NPA spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said:

“A 52- year-old Warrant Officer, Tlabo Mapotla, appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate Court in connection with a charge of corruption and extortion, worth R6000. Tlabo Mapotla is a detective warrant officer at Westernburg police station. It is alleged that Mapotla extorted money from the suspect whom police had arrested on drug dealing charges in 2018. He demanded money in order to destroy the docket.”

He added:

“The matter was postponed to 20 October 2020 for formal bail application. The accused will remain in custody“.