Former Police Constable Sentenced to Suspended Prison Term for Corruption in Mpumalanga

A former police constable, Eric Ellias Sibanyoni, has been handed a two-year imprisonment sentence, which is wholly suspended for five years. The suspension comes with the condition that Sibanyoni is not found guilty of fraud, corruption, or theft during the suspension period.

Sibanyoni, aged 47, had been attached to the Middelburg Flying Squad when he was found guilty of accepting bribes from motorists on the N4 freeway near Wonderfontein in Mpumalanga. His actions were brought to light following a report from a victimized tourist in 2019, sparking an investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).

A Collaborative Effort Leads to Arrest

The Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Serious Corruption Investigation team, supported by Crime Intelligence and the Road Traffic Management Corporation, initiated a detailed observation operation. This effort culminated in Sibanyoni’s arrest four months after the initial complaint.

Lt. Col. Magonseni Nkosi, a spokesperson for the Hawks, explained that Sibanyoni had accepted R100 in gratification in exchange for overlooking motorists’ violations, which directly contravened the South African Police Service’s code of conduct. The investigation concluded that Sibanyoni’s actions were unethical and that he had intentionally benefited from his misconduct.

Following an internal departmental process, Sibanyoni was dismissed from the South African Police Service (SAPS). The criminal case against him was finalized on Monday, with Sibanyoni appearing at the Belfast Magistrate’s Court.

Law Enforcement’s Commitment to Integrity

Major General Nico Gerber, Mpumalanga’s provincial head of the Hawks, praised the teamwork of the various law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation. However, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the court’s decision to impose only a suspended sentence.

“We will not tolerate criminals infiltrating the ranks of honest officers,” Gerber said. “Such individuals damage the reputation of the SAPS. Our investigators are dedicated to bringing these cases to court, and the sentence should serve as a warning to others who might consider engaging in corruption.”

Despite the disappointment over the lenient sentence, Gerber reaffirmed the Hawks’ commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring the integrity of law enforcement in South Africa.

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