JOHANNESBURG – “If you see it, report it.” That is the message from police following the circulation of a video showing officers allegedly extorting detainees.
A video circulating on social media allegedly shows two SAPS officers at Johannesburg’s Park Station soliciting bribes from undocumented foreign nationals.
It is alleged that foreign nationals were arrested and then forced to pay for their release.
SAPS Divisional Commissioner for Human Resource Development, Lieutenant General Bongiwe Zulu, said such allegations are treated with seriousness.
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The footage, reportedly taken at Park Station, appears to show a uniformed SAPS officer in conversation with a man wearing a red shirt and red cap.
During the interaction, the man is seen removing what appears to be cash from his pocket, counting it, and then handing it to one of the officers.
The incident comes as SAPS is hosting a two-day Fraud and Corruption Imbizo.
“We will locate which particular police station is involved. The provincial commissioner where the incident occurred will immediately attend to it,” said Zulu.
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The police will then follow disciplinary procedures to ensure that any perpetrators are held accountable.
Zulu said the Imbizo is aimed at reinforcing public trust and strengthening integrity within SAPS.
“If police fail to uphold their oath and serve with integrity, we must ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. We cannot be the ones contributing to crime,” she said.
“The Imbizo is not just for SAPS. It also calls on civil society to help curb the scourge of corruption. We will not turn a blind eye to wrongdoing.”