Yet another Metro Police officer has found themselves in hot water – this time, on charges of extortion after he allegedly asked for and accepted money from members of the public when he falsely promised them jobs in the Metro Police Service.

The officer was arrested on Wednesday, June 10, at the Durban Metro Police headquarters for alleged corruption.

Captain Carmen Rhynes, of the eThekwini communications unit, said that a case of extortion has been opened and will be investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.

This comes after a Metro Police officer was seen on camera in a heated exchange with a member of the public, which garnered backlash as to the officer’s actions, which the Metro Police defended in a statement.

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The officer appeared in the Durban Magistrates Court on Friday, June 12, and was released on bail. Durban Metro Police Service spokesperson, Colonel Boysie Zungu, spoke on the consequences of the officer’s actions.

“The department has suspended the officer with immediate effect while the criminal investigation and internal disciplinary processes continue. The Metro Police Service will fully co-operate with law enforcement authorities to ensure the matter is properly investigated and that the necessary action is taken. We want to make it clear that jobs in the Metro Police Service cannot be bought,” said Col Zungu. 

All recruitment and appointment processes are meant to be carried out according to the law, policies, and approved procedures.

No person is allowed to sell, arrange, or guarantee employment in the service.

Col Zungu then laid down the law for both officers and citizens by stating categorically that the Metro Police Service strongly condemns corruption in any form and has a zero-tolerance approach to unethical and illegal behaviour by its members.

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“Any employee found guilty of corruption will face criminal charges as well as internal disciplinary action. The department further warns members of the public that paying, offering, or agreeing to pay money or any form of gratification in exchange for employment is a criminal offence. Any person found to have paid, offered to pay, or participated in a corrupt arrangement to secure employment within the Metro Police Service or any municipal department may also face criminal prosecution. Corruption involves both the person who solicits or accepts the payment and the person who offers or provides it, and both parties will be held accountable in terms of the law. The department encourages anyone with information about this matter, or anyone who has been approached with promises of employment in exchange for payment, to report it to the relevant authorities as soon as possible. The Metro Police Service remains committed to honesty, accountability, transparency, and maintaining the trust and confidence of the communities it serves,” he said.