Two KZN Police Sergeants Arrested For Extorting Amaoti Residents

KwaZulu-Natal’s Anti-Corruption Unit arrested two police sergeants on Friday, 20 February 2026, over alleged extortion in the Amaoti area of Inanda.

The suspects, one stationed at Inanda Police Station and the other at Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court, reportedly demanded money from operators of illegal shebeens and illicit cigarette sellers. Victims alleged the officers presented authentic police identification cards and firearms while threatening arrest if payments were not made.

Community Apprehends Officers After Frustration With Police Response

On 14 January 2026, frustrated Amaoti residents reportedly caught the two officers in the act, disarmed them, and took them to the Amaoti Satellite Police Station. Community members were then directed to Inanda Police Station to open official cases.

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However, when they arrived, they were surprised to find the officers had not been brought to the station and that staff at the Community Service Centre were unaware of the alleged extortion or the apprehension. The two officers reportedly drove away in a police van, prompting concerns of internal collusion.

Police Sergeants Arrested Made and Court Appearance Set

Following an investigation by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit, the two sergeants were arrested on Friday. They are expected to appear in Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 February 2026 on four counts of extortion. Authorities have indicated additional charges may follow as more victims come forward.

A separate investigation is also underway into officers who allegedly failed to open cases and assisted the suspects’ escape, in a potential defeating-the-ends-of-justice probe.

Provincial Commissioner Condemns Corrupt Officers

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi condemned the actions, saying police must first clean their own ranks to fight crime effectively.

“There are few individuals who are tarnishing the name of the police and we must deal with them from within and get rid of them. We cannot have police officers who are in cahoots with criminals, and those who are found to be involved in any form of criminal activities must be arrested and face internal disciplinary sanctions,” he said.

Mkhwanazi also thanked the Amaoti community for taking action while respecting the law, saying:

“We apologize that some of us let you down and released the suspects, however the wrath of the law will take its course and justice will be served.”