A police officer was arrested and charged with theft after she failed to deliver bail money and traffic fines to the clerk of the court. The 47-year-old cop stationed at the Rust de Winter police station in Bela Bela Limpopo made her first court appearance on Thursday.

STEALING FROM COURT

It is alleged that Warrant Officer Matshidiso Virginia Sealetsa failed to deliver the monies to the clerk of court to deposit and instead she allegedly used the money for her personal gain. Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba says the suspect was arrested on Wednesday. " It is alleged that between September 2022 and February this year, Sealetsa, performing her duty as a visible policing commander, was tasked with the collection of bail monies, traffic fines and admission of guilt fines from the Community Service Centre to deliver to Bela-Bela Magistrates Court. A suspicion was raised during inspection when the receipts were not attached on fourteen occasions, amounting to over R29, 000," Ledwaba said. This prompted the management to conduct an investigation which led to the arrest of the suspect.

OUT ON BAIL

Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has warned that dishonest and corrupt officials will suffer the consequences of their criminal conduct. "The arrest of the suspect will serve as a warning that corrupt employees will be rooted out and be dealt with accordingly," Hadebe said. Sealetsa was granted R3,000 by the Bela-Bela Magistrates Court on Thursday. She will appear again on 1 August 2023 while police investigations continue.