Two Bothasig police officers have been found guilty of corruption, theft and defeating the ends of justice.
Sergeant Zandisile Ruka, 38, and Constable Thulile Ruka, 35, last week both received five-year suspended prison sentences in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court and were dismissed from Bothasig police.
SAPS has welcomed the sentences handed down to two of their own for stealing R45 000 during a crime investigation.
The detectives had been arrested last year by members of the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit while attending an on-duty parade, said provincial SAPS spokesman Captain FC Van Wyk.
“They were responsible for investigating a theft case and managed to trace the suspect and recover R45 000 in cash. They failed to arrest the suspect and kept the money for themselves. They recorded in the docket that the suspect could not be traced and the docket was closed accordingly,” said Captain Van Wyk. The sacked detectives also have to repay the
R45 000 to the complainant in the theft case.
“Corruption has no place in SAPS, and we will make every endeavour to ensure that perpetrators within our ranks are prosecuted,” Captain Van Wyk said.
Bothasig SAPS spokesman Warrant Officer Jacques Mostert said they were “satisfied that justice has run its course”.
He added: “The internal disciplinary process, which includes disciplinary hearings, was immediately activated after their arrests, and they were suspended from duty. This was enforced up to their dismissal.”
Chairman of the Bothasig Community Policing Forum Dave Morley said: “Bothasig CPF have a great working relationship with SAPS and know they will not tolerate or cover up corruption in our precinct.”
