A former police constable has been sentenced to six years of direct imprisonment after being found guilty of corruption in a case that highlights ongoing concerns about integrity within law enforcement.
Johannes Shuping, 44, was convicted by the Kuruman Regional Court on two counts of corruption linked to a 2018 hijacking and robbery investigation. During the probe, Shuping attempted to extort R11,000 from a suspect, promising to make the case “disappear” in exchange for the bribe.
The accused initially paid R6,000, but when Shuping returned demanding more, the victim reported the incident to the Hawks. A sting operation was launched, and Shuping was arrested after accepting an additional R4,000.
Following a protracted legal process, the court sentenced him to six years on each corruption charge, with the sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm—stripping him of any future opportunity to return to law enforcement.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the damage corruption does to public trust in policing and the importance of accountability within the justice system.
