How a R1,800 bribe led to an eight-year prison sentence for a police officer

A 41-year-old police officer has been convicted and sentenced in the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Limpopo on charges of corruption. 

Godfrey Avhasei Matheledza from Muila Village was sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently, which means he will effectively serve eight years in prison.  

The second accused in the matter, Fululhelo Mathada, died before the trial commenced. 

The provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, said in July 2014, in Morebeng, the accused used a marked state vehicle to escort individuals transporting illicit cigarettes through their policing precinct. In return, they received gratification of R1,830 from the smugglers. 

This allowed the offenders to evade arrest and avoid law enforcement in terms of the Customs and Excise Act No. 91 of 1964. 

Police conducted an undercover investigation, which subsequently led to the arrest of the officers. 

During the sentencing, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Malope Maponya, argued that the accused failed to uphold Section 205 (3) of the Constitution, which outlines the objectives of the police service, including the prevention, combating, and investigation of crime. 

The State further argued that corruption undermines constitutional rights, endangers the stability and security of society, weakens democratic institutions, erodes ethical values, and jeopardises sustainable development, the rule of law, and government credibility.

The Limpopo Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Ivy Thenga, welcomed the sentence and said it was adequate and hoped it would serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders. 

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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