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Police officers have been arrested.
- Eight officers from the Tactical Response Team were arrested for allegedly taking money confiscated during an operation.
- Two arrests were made at a Kroonstad supermarket in June, when the owner and his wife were arrested for selling cigarettes while prohibited.
- After the store owner was released, money seized during the arrest was found to be missing.
Eight members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) appeared before the Kroonstad Magistrates Court on charges of business theft, defeating the purposes of justice and perjury after money seized during an arrest.
Officers, Sergeants Doctor Christian Maloisane, Tieho William Nkebenyane, Paseka Kelebohile Molifi, Seal Joseph Makonyane, Khotatso Prinsloo Bless, Madiboho Samuel Mokhethi, PH Motlejoa and Officer Luzuko Cenga, appeared in court on Friday.
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The Free State anti-corruption unit arrested them on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in a business robbery on June 20 at a supermarket in Kroonstad, said police spokesman Brigadier Motantsi Makhele.
“The suspects allegedly carried out an operation at a store in Station Street, Kroonstad, where they arrested the owner and his wife for violating the Disaster Management Act, for selling cigarettes during the closing period. A large amount of money was confiscated and cigarettes “. Makhele said.
The couple were later released and their money and cigarettes were returned.
“That’s when it became known that the amount that was returned to them is not the same that was taken,” Makhele said.
The police officers will remain in custody until October 1, when they will request bail.
Molifi and Maloisane will appear in Welkom Magistrates Court on Monday for a separate count of possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license. This came after a firearm and ammunition were found in their homes during the search.
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