Court interpreter arrested for Corruption

News South Africa

Tebogo Msimanga |

The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team on Friday arrested a 40-year-old court interpreter in Mpumalanga, for alleged Corruption.

It is alleged that between January and March 2021, the suspect approached an accused who was released on bail for two domestic violence-related cases where he had allegedly violated a protection order.

Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said the official then demanded money claiming that he will ensure that the cases were withdrawn.

“The victim paid the money as demanded but the case was not withdrawn. It is further alleged that the interpreter continued soliciting money from the victim on different occasions stating that he needed to pay for the Prosecutor’s personal needs for the case docket to be destroyed permanently.”

Sekgotodi added that the victim agreed to the demands but to his surprise, the case kept being postponed.

“The victim alerted the Hawks of his predicament and the Investigation led to the interpreter’s arrest after a warrant was granted.On Friday morning before the official was arrested, a second victim came to court to report that the same official demanded money from her to have her case withdrawn which never happened despite the payment.”

The Mpumalanga Hawks is appealing to all victims who paid the money to the suspect in similar circumstances to come forward. They are urged to contact the investigating officer Captain Luzile Ndlovu on 071 ‪481 2819 .

The suspect is expected to appear in the Bushbuckridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 19 April 2021.

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