A former South African Police Service (SAPS) constable has been sentenced to four years in prison for her involvement in a scheme to sell state firearms, with the court ruling on January 13, 2025, after a lengthy investigation by the Hawks.
Constable Noxolo Perseverance Job, aged 39, was attached to the Protection and Security Services (PSS) division in Bloemfontein when she orchestrated a robbery to steal firearms from the PSS offices in October 2019. Job, who was responsible for securing VIP residences and national key points in the Free State, allegedly conspired to facilitate the heist and even offered her official firearm to the robbers for a fee of R50,000.
Her plan was foiled by the diligent efforts of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team, who were alerted to Job’s intentions. The team set up a mock transaction, leading to her arrest on October 8, 2019.
Job was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and violating the Firearms Control Act, which prohibits the illegal possession, distribution, or sale of firearms. On July 30, 2024, she was found guilty on both counts, and the sentencing followed shortly thereafter.
Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli, the provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, explained that Job’s arrest prevented a potential disaster, as the firearms in question could have easily fallen into the hands of criminals, posing a severe threat to public safety.
Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, head of the Hawks in the Free State, expressed relief over Job’s removal from both the police service and society. “She was a danger to her colleagues and society at large,” said Bokaba. “These firearms would have been used to rob, rape, and kill had they landed in the wrong hands.”
Job’s case highlights the severe consequences of police officers abusing their positions of trust, with her actions serving as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining integrity within the police force. The sentence has been welcomed as a small but significant step toward rooting out corruption in the service and ensuring that those who betray their oath to protect and serve face justice.
