Four warrants of arrest have been issued for former police Constable Khabo James Lephatsoe (32) who failed to appear in court in multiple cases involving corruption, extortion, and defeating the ends of justice.

CHARGED WITH VARIOUS CRIMES 

According to Free State Police spokesperson Captain Stephen Thakeng, on January 11, 2018, Lephatsoe and his accomplices approached a complainant in Welkom, intending to arrest her for possession of gold dust balls. Instead, they extorted R300,000 from her, which was transferred from her bank account to an account provided by the suspects. On June 9, 2021, Lephatsoe demanded R10,000 from the complainant to secure the release of her husband, who had been arrested for being in the country illegally. 

FALSE CLAIMS  

Furthermore, Thakeng stated that Lephatsoe is also facing charges related to other crimes that occurred on February 17, 2019, and May 12, 2021. In one incident, a friend of Lephatsoe borrowed a police vehicle and got into an accident while driving alone in Meloding. Lephatsoe falsely claimed to be the driver of the state vehicle. "At the time he was still attached to the Welkom Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit, investigating a case of sexual assault that occurred at Wesselsbron, Lephatsoe allegedly offered the prosecutor in the case a share of the R5 000 he received from the family of the suspect so that the prosecutor could get rid of the docket," Thakeng said. Lephatsoe is facing corruption and defending the ends of justice in the matter. Thakeng said that Lephatsoe failed to attend the trial for all these cases, leading to the issuance of four warrants of arrest. Lephatsoe is now facing charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Anyone who might know his whereabouts is requested to call the Crime Stop number, 08600-10111, or send an anonymous tip-off on the SAPS App.