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| (Photo: Gallo Images / Roger Sedres) |
Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile has urged the public to report corruption incidents within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Cheslyn Heckrath, a police constable from Belhar Police Station, was arrested on November 20 for allegedly accepting R1,000 to assist a fraud suspect escape from custody. A video circulated on social media showed members of the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit storming the police station on Monday and handcuffing Heckrath while reading him a warrant of arrest for corruption and aiding and abetting an accused.
The policeman's arrest relates to allegations that he accepted money and helped a 22-year-old man, who was arrested on Friday, 17 November 2023, on suspicion of fraud, to escape from the holding cells. The suspect made arrangements and received the cash via e-wallet. The constable then assisted the suspect to escape during the night as per their prior arrangement. However, the suspect was re-arrested in the early hours of Saturday, 18 November 2023, when he blew the whistle on corruption.
Following an investigation, the docket was filed with the Directorate of Public Prosecution and it issued an arrest warrant, which was duly executed on Monday. Heckrath appeared briefly before the Bellville Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on a charge of corruption and aiding and abetting escape from lawful custody. He was released on R2,000 bail, and his case was postponed until 30 January 2024.
Patekile issued a harsh warning to all SAPS employees in the Western Cape to refrain from corruption and criminality. “Members of the public are encouraged to report incidents of corruption so that the SAPS can be rid of bad elements who tarnish the good reputation and loyalty of hardworking police officers,” the provincial commissioner said.
The latest corruption allegation involving a SAPS officer comes only one day after former Hawks commander Esmerelda Bailey was convicted by the Bellville Serious Commercial Crimes Court on charges ranging from corruption to drug possession, obstruction of justice and firearm loss. Bailey is known for the investigation that led to Dina Rodriques being sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of baby Jordan Leigh Norton in June 2005.
One of the most recent cases is the trial of former police sergeant Alfonso Cloete, suspected of being a member of the 28 Mobster gang. The gang is accused of contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, murder, attempted murder, dealing in drugs, illegal possession of ammunition and firearms, and possession of explosives.
