The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has granted a Pretoria prosecutor and two police officers stationed at a Centurion police station, who stand accused of corruption and extortion, bail of R5 000 each.
The matter was postponed to February 17 for further investigations.
The three accused were granted bail with the condition that they should not interfere with state witnesses and investigations.
The prosecutor is stationed at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit and two police officers are stationed at Wierdabrug Police Station.
The three are facing two counts of extortion of R100 000 and R300 000 and two counts of corruption.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Advocate Avinash Ramapararart (45), Sergeant Herman Mnguni (46) and Constable Abdul Haig Shaik (35) allegedly extorted money from the businessman who is the complainant in the matter.
The businessman was arrested and charged with fraud on June 28.
“After his arrest, it is alleged that Ramapararat and Shaik requested the businessman to pay them R300 000 in exchange for his release,” said Mahanjana.
She said the businessman called his partner, who subsequently paid them.
She said after persistently being asked for money after his release, the complainant reported the matter to the police.
“Investigations by the National Anti-Corruption Investigations Unit: Head Office Detectives ensued, and a trap was set, where the complainant paid R100 000 to Mnguni.”
Mahanjana said the trap led to the arrest of the two officers on October 25 and 26, and the prosecutor was arrested on October 31.
“The NPA is committed to fighting corruption at all levels, including within its ranks.”
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