Polokwane – Two Limpopo rogue cops who were found guilty of soliciting a R1 000 bribe to release a crime suspect have been sentenced to four years in jail by the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.
Evidence before the court proved that police officers 52-year-old Rapi Prince Sekopana and 32-year-old Thabang Brian Ledwaba demanded a bribe of R1 000 to release a crime suspect.
On Wednesday, 8 April 2026, the convicted duo, who had been stationed at Mahwelereng Police Station, were sentenced to four years in prison.
However, two years were suspended, meaning the accused will serve a minimum of two years of direct imprisonment.
Trouble for the pair began on 2 January 2023, when they responded to a complaint of possession of suspected stolen property at Ga-Molekane village in Mahwelereng.
After they arrested a male suspect, they contacted his sister and asked her to bring R1 000 to unlawfully secure his release.
She only had R500, which she handed over to the two rogue cops along the N11 road, near Molekane village, as instructed.
The suspect was then dropped off at Mahwelereng Mall, at Moshate Crossing.
Matters came to a head when the suspect was spotted by members of the community and frog marched him to a police station, where he was detained.
The Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit was alerted about the matter, resulting in an investigation that led to the arrest of the two police men.
Stripped of their badges and fired, former police officers Sekopana and Thabang Brian Ledwaba have begun serving their sentences in orange overalls.
Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, welcomed the sentence, stating, “We are resolute in our commitment to root out corruption within the South African Police Service.”
She added: “This conviction sends a strong message that no one is above the law, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who undermine the integrity of our organisation are held accountable.
“Our focus remains on serving and protecting our communities with honesty and professionalism.”
