Two police officers accused of brutalizing a truck driver and extorting R5,000 in bribes have appeared in court, facing an avalanche of serious criminal charges, including corruption, kidnapping, assault, extortion, and defeating the ends of justice.
Sergeant Ntsizwa Mthimunye (47) and Constable Malefane Mofokeng (38), both based in Mpumalanga, stood before the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Monday after a Hawks corruption investigation uncovered damning allegations tied to two incidents in October 2023.
According to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit, the case stems from a routine stop on the N17 near Leslie on 9 October 2023. The officers allegedly discovered four bags of dagga in a truck — but instead of following legal procedures, they reportedly assaulted the driver and demanded R5,000 for his release.
The driver, unable to pay, contacted his employer, who transferred the bribe. Only R4,050 was withdrawn, but the officers seized the dagga and let the driver go. What followed was even more shocking.
The next day, the driver returned to the police station, seeking to recover R1,000 for basic survival needs. Instead, he was allegedly beaten again, handcuffed, and taken to a remote location on the N17. While one officer stayed with him, the other reportedly returned with two of the previously seized dagga bags, and the driver was then formally arrested for possession.
The corruption came to light when local police in Leslie flagged the suspicious behavior and alerted the Hawks, leading to a full-scale probe. Court summonses were served on 16 April 2025, and the officers were formally charged.
Mthimunye and Mofokeng have been released on warning and are required to appear in person for all future proceedings. The case has been postponed to 27 July 2025.
“This is a serious breach of trust and a disgrace to the uniform,” a Hawks official commented. “We will ensure justice is served.”
The case has reignited public concern about corruption within the police ranks, especially in areas where officers exploit vulnerable individuals under the guise of law enforcement.
