Judgement in police corruption case postponed
Police corruption trial postponed for judgement
JUDGEMENT in the trial of three police officers who allegedly arrested a couple for public indecency and then attempted to extort money from them in return for dropping the charges, were postponed in the Empangeni Regional Court on Wednesday.
Cst Siphosethu Myesa, Cst Lukhululeko Mndunge and W/O Justice Gumede were apprehended by the Hawks in a sting operation in 2013.
According to evidence in court, the couple was canoodling in the car near Empangeni Central Park when they were approached by the accused, who demanded R3 500 for their release.
They later allegedly dropped the sum to R2 000.
Investigating Officer W/O Ryno Louw testified that the police marked money was recovered by the Hawks in the police vehicle driven by the accused.
The accused placed all the evidence of the State witnesses in dispute and the defence asked the court for an acquittal following the closing of the State’s case, arguing that the evidence was insufficient.
The Section 174 application was however refused.
The matter was remanded until 2 February for judgement.
