Cops, immigration officer up for extortion

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – Two police officials, Tsoloane Matthew’s Tsoloane (36), Tsediso Lawrence Matsaneng (36) and a Home Affairs Immigration officer Emmanuel Sefobi (45) are expected to be back in the Ficksburg magistrate court on April 26 2023 to answer charges of corruption and extortion.

The suspects appeared in the Ficksburg Magistrate’s Court on March 27 and have been released on bail of R2000 each.
This comes after the Immigration officer wrongfully confiscated a complainant’s passport at Ficksburg border gate alleging that it was invalid. A police official who was with the immigration officer told the complainant that he could help him get his passport back at a price. He demanded R2500 from the complainant.

The matter was brought to the attention of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team based in Bloemfontein and a preliminary investigation was conducted. The complainant complied and delivered according to the demands of the accused. The three accused shared the money among themselves and were arrested on Saturday, 25 March 2023 in Ficksburg. Only R600 was recovered in possession of one of the suspects.
Meanwhile, the president of Free Basotho Movement Dr Letsema Morolong said it is reasons like the above case that has prompted their move to advocate for the abolition of borders between Lesotho and South Africa.

“It is unfortunate that police and immigration officers are using corrupt means to extort money from people. They claim valid documents are invalid just to make money. They think people are stupid and do not know how to read and write. In 2017 these things happened and we even wrote a letter to Free State commissioner of police warning him about some of the corrupt police officers.”