A 34-year-old detective constable has been arrested for defeating the ends of justice after he attempted to book out a foreign national businessman, Frank Buyanga, from Johannesburg Correctional Service. The constable’s arrest was made by the Serious Corruption Investigation Unit on Friday, April 14, 2023.
According to police spokesperson Katlego Mogale, the constable’s arrest emanated from a fraud and contravention of Immigration Act against Frank Buyanga, who was charged on November 28, 2022, and subsequently refused bail as the accused was also wanted for kidnapping in his country of origin.
It is alleged that the investigation officer received a call from the Johannesburg Correctional Service notifying him that another police officer, a constable, wants to book out the accused (Buyanga) for investigation. The investigation officer immediately requested the prison warders to delay him, as he and his colleagues were on their way.
Upon arrival, the constable from Mondeor Detectives was presented and further questioned, where it was discovered that he had no case connected to the accused. The member has been arrested.
This incident raises concerns about the integrity of the South African Police Service and the need for stricter measures to prevent corruption and abuse of power. The arrest of the detective constable is a step in the right direction towards ensuring that justice is served and that those who abuse their power are held accountable.