Nine law enforcement officers appeared briefly at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Friday, 24 April 2026, facing serious charges of corruption, extortion and trespassing.
The group — comprising six officers from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), two members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), and one Gauteng traffic warden — was arrested in coordinated operations across Gauteng in the early hours of 23 April. The arrests were carried out by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit.
According to authorities, the officers allegedly entered a warehouse in Crown Mines, where they conducted a search and reportedly found a box containing what is believed to be expired dye.
It is further alleged that the group then attempted to solicit money from the complainant. The incident was subsequently reported to the Hawks, triggering the investigation that led to their arrests.
The accused include JMPD officers LF Tsweleng, A Shiburi, M Muvhalisa, S Khumalo, LB Kubayi and A Mathebula, as well as SAPS members Sergeant N Maphophe and Constable K Radzilane, both stationed in Brixton. The ninth accused is Gauteng Traffic warden PP Madlala.
The case has been postponed to 28 April 2026 to allow for a formal bail application. All nine accused were remanded in custody pending their next court appearance.
