The Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court in the North West postponed the corruption case of a Botswana policeman, Mompolloki Boitshoko, 42, until March 12, to allow the accused to appoint a lawyer.
Boitshoko is accused of attempting to bribe a South African Revenue Service (Sars) official with R100,000 to release an impounded truck at the Skilpadshek border post on November 25. The case has drawn significant attention due to its cross-border implications and the involvement of law enforcement officials.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya, the truck in question was detained by Sars officials after it was found carrying cigarettes worth over R1 million.
“During his bail application, which was held on December 5, evidence presented in court revealed a truck was detained by Sars at the border post that had cigarettes worth over R1m,” Gunya said. The truck driver was arrested for contravening the Customs and Excise Act, and the vehicle, along with its cargo and trailers, was seized.
Hawks Set Entrapment Operation, Leading to Arrest of Accused Policeman
The case took a dramatic turn when Boitshoko allegedly contacted a Sars official, offering a bribe to secure the release of the impounded truck. “The Botswana policeman allegedly phoned one of the Sars officials to pay him so that the truck can be released. An entrapment was set, and it resulted in his arrest by the members of the Mahikeng-based Hawks serious corruption investigation and serious organised crime investigation units,” Gunya explained. The Hawks, South Africa’s elite crime-fighting unit, orchestrated the operation, leading to Boitshoko’s arrest.
Boitshoko was granted bail of R20,000 during his initial court appearance, and his bail has been extended until his next court date.
The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in combating corruption, particularly at border posts, which are often hotspots for illicit activities. The Skilpadshek border post, located between South Africa and Botswana, is a critical transit point for goods and has previously been implicated in smuggling and bribery cases.
