A former police station commander in the Free State has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
Moru Daniel Nkali, 52, was convicted and sentenced at Thaba Nchu Regional Court on Tuesday, according to the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 24-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 18 Years In Prison For Multiple Housebreakings
Nkali, who was the station commander at Excelsior police station, approached a man arrested for possession of a dangerous weapon and demanded a bribe of R1,500 for his release. The complainant’s family member paid the bribe, and the man was released from custody. Nkali then submitted the docket to the prosecutor with incomplete information to have the case withdrawn.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Investigation Launched Into Bullying Incident After Grade 6 Learner Found Dead
However, Nkali’s corruption did not end there. He approached the complainant again and demanded more money. The complainant reported the matter to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in Bloemfontein, leading to Nkali’s arrest on November 13, 2021.
After appearing in court on several occasions, Nkali was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment. Two years of the sentence were suspended for five years, meaning he will serve three years of direct imprisonment.
The Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime in the Free State, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, welcomed the sentence as a deterrent for any police officer involved in corrupt activities. She emphasized that those who betray their oath will not be spared.
