In a shocking turn of events, a former member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State has been handed a four-year prison sentence for her involvement in an elaborate scheme to sell state firearms. Constable Noxolo Perseverance Job, 39, was attached to the SAPS’ Protection and Security Services (PSS) in Bloemfontein when she masterminded the plot that would have potentially put countless lives at risk.
Job was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery and violating the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, after she orchestrated a plan to steal firearms from a PSS safe. In a chilling twist, she even offered her own official firearm to the would-be robbers in exchange for a hefty fee of R50,000.
This disturbing plot came to light in October 2019, when Job, responsible for providing security at national key points and VIP residences, made arrangements for the firearms to be stolen. However, the operation didn’t go as planned. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) had been monitoring Job’s movements and were able to intercept the illegal transaction before it could be carried out. Job was arrested on October 8, 2019, during a mock transaction set up by the Hawks.
The case was closely followed by the public, as it involved a betrayal of trust at the highest level—a police officer exploiting her position to sell dangerous weapons. After a thorough investigation, Job was convicted in July 2024. Her sentencing in January 2025 marked the end of a dark chapter for the Free State SAPS.
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. These firearms would have been used to rob, rape, and kill had they landed in the wrong hands,” Bokaba said, underscoring the severity of the crime and the potential consequences had Job succeeded in her illicit dealings.
Job’s sentencing is a significant victory for law enforcement, as it highlights the importance of rooting out corruption within the very institutions meant to protect the public. It also serves as a reminder that, even within the police force, those who betray their oath will face the full force of the law.
