In a recent development in an ongoing corruption investigation, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) has provided an update on the case involving several police officers and civilians. According to DPCI spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, the case against Captain Letlhogonolo Andrew Molatlhegi (59), Warrant Officer Mabutho Masina (46), Constable Mpho Irvyn Netshivhera (30), Constable Nhlamulo Matsilela (30), Simon Mapusi Rakuba (47), and Lebogang Tseto (41) has been postponed to 4 July 2025 to facilitate further investigations. The accused remain in custody pending the next court appearance.
Brigadier Mbambo also stated that charges against other suspects arrested at the shop during the operation have been withdrawn, indicating ongoing developments as the investigation continues.
The case stems from a police operation conducted in Gauteng, where four Hawks officials attached to the Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, along with two civilians, were arrested on Monday, 30 June 2025. The arrests were executed by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team based in Johannesburg.
The incident began when a complainant reported receiving a phone call from an employee, informing him that police officers were at his shop. The complainant instructed his employee to request the officers to wait until he arrived. However, the call was abruptly disconnected. Upon arriving at the shop, the complainant found it already closed and proceeded to Johannesburg Central Police Station, where he was informed that his employees had been arrested for contravening Section 9 of the Currency Act, Act 9 of 1933. The employee involved in the call was also detained for interfering with police duties.
The investigation revealed troubling details: during a police operation at the shop, officers allegedly confiscated R900 000. However, subsequent inquiries uncovered that only R60 000 in US dollars and R130 000 in cash were recorded in the SAPS registers as recovered, significantly less than the actual amount. Further allegations suggest that the suspect at the shop attempted to bribe police officials with R60 000, which was also documented in the SAPS records.
Following preliminary investigations, the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation team tracked the implicated officers to Newtown. They located the suspects in several vehicles, and a search uncovered a substantial amount of cash. The four police officials and two civilians were arrested on the scene, with the cash and vehicles seized as evidence.
All six suspects are scheduled to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court today, Wednesday, 2 July 2025. They face charges of theft, possession of suspected stolen money, extortion, and corruption. The other six suspects, charged with contravention of Section 9 of the Currency Act, will also appear before the court today.
Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, speaking on behalf of the Hawks, reaffirmed the commitment to rooting out corruption within law enforcement ranks. "The Hawks remain resolute in its commitment to rooting out corruption, even within our own ranks. No one is above the law. The arrest of these officers demonstrates our unwavering resolve to act decisively and impartially to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system and restore public trust in SAPS."
This case underscores the ongoing efforts by the Hawks to uphold integrity and accountability within the police force, emphasizing zero tolerance for corruption at all levels.
