The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation have arrested a 25-year-old prominent Middleburg businessman on Thursday, 13 February 2020.
The businessman who cannot be mentioned until he appears in court tomorrow, was initially arrested last year and subsequently charged for fraud, corruption and possession of an unlicensed firearm had been out on R200 000 bail following his arrest last year September.
His latest arrest emanates from allegations that he attempted to corrupt a senior police official in Mpumalanga to get his impounded motor vehicle to be released and also to make his initial case disappear.
The suspect who was also known for his Bethal businesses allegedly paid R50 000 as a down payment and on Thursday he added a further R70 000 for the release of his vehicle and the Nelspruit docket to disappear.
Processes to forfeit the R120 000 including the luxury vehicle the suspect was utilizing during the commission of the crime are already underway.
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has commended the swift action of the investigating team.
“I would like to commend the members of the DPCI who resisted the temptation by those who want to corrupt them. We shall be working towards forfeiting the money paid as gratification”, said General Lebeya.
Meanwhile, the businessman is expected to appear in the Middleburg Magistrate Court on Friday, 14 February.
