Ramokhule Maboloka (34) and Motsamai Mokoena (45) appeared in the Sasolburg Magistrate’s court on Tuesday, 28 April 2020 on four charges of possession of ammunition, bribery, being in the country as illegal immigrant as well as contravening the Disaster Management Act (failure by person to be confined to residence during lockdown).
Both suspects are still in custody as the case against Maboloka is rolled to today to afford him an opportunity to obtain legal representative and Mokoena’s case has been postponed to 04 May 2020 for formal bail application.
According to a statement by the office of the Provincial Commissioner in the Free State, members of Viljoensdrfit were conducting a roadblock on Sunday 26 April 2020 at about 09:30 on the R82 road. Sergeant Manoto stopped a black SsangYong vehicle whereupon she asked two male occupants for travel permits, which they failed to produce. The two suspects then tried to bribe Sergeant Manoto with R1000 and later increased the amount to R2000. Sergeant Manoto refused the bribe and arrested both men.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the two were illegal immigrants from Lesotho. Inside the vehicle, a large sum of money was found as well as 73 live ammunition of a 9mm pistol.
Free State Provincial Commissioner, Lt.-General Baile Motswenyane, applauded Sergeant Manoto for refusing to take a bribe and showing her loyalty to serve and uphold the Constitution of this country.
