Police captian accused of taking a bribe

Local police were dealt a severe blow when two of their own appeared in the Louis Trichardt Magistrate’s Court on Monday for allegedly accepting a bribe.

Two police officials, a captain and constable, allegedly accepted money to return a gun to a man who was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Capt James Sadiki (59) and a 26-year-old constable’s court appearance followed as a result of a guilty verdict that was passed by the Sekgosese Magistrate´s Court in 2005.

According provincial police spokesperson Lt Col Mohale Ramatseba, Sadiki allegedly accepted a R2 500 bribe from William Ramonetha Madidimalo to return his gun to him. Sadiki was stationed at the Bandelierkop police station at the time, when he ordered the police constable, who was responsible for the safekeeping of the forfeited firearm, to hand it over to Madidimalo. The 44-year-old Madidimalo was declared unfit to possess a firearm ever again,after being found guilty on a charge of the negligent handling of a firearm in 2005.

The case against the constable was withdrawn, but Sadiki will have to stand trail on charges of corruption, defeating the ends of justice, contravening the Fire Arms Control Act and contempt of court. As for Madidimalo, Ramatseba confirmed that he was re-arrested on Tuesday, February 15. Police were also able to recover his firearm.

Madidimalo appeared in the Sekgosese court again on a charge of the illegal possession of a firearm. He was released on R500 bail and admonished to appear in court again on April 14.

Sadiki, who is currently stationed at the Makhado Police station, was also released on R500 bail on Monday. His case was postponed until March 28.

According Ramatseba, charges against the constable were withdrawn because he was ordered to give the firearm to Sadiki and did not participate in the crime.

News - Date: 25 February 2011

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