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- Seven soldiers have been arrested on charges of corruption.
- They stand accused of accepting money from a vehicle smuggling syndicate.
- The soldiers were allegedly paid R15 000 to allow stolen vehicles across the border.
Seven soldiers appeared in the Musina Magistrate's Court on Wednesday for alleged corruption at the Beitbridge Border Post in Limpopo. They stand accused of aiding a vehicle theft syndicate to smuggle vehicles across the border.
The Hawks and South African National Defence Force (SANDF) made six arrests on Monday after a string of cross-border crimes. A seventh soldier later handed himself over.
The soldiers, aged 30 to 51, were deployed at the border post between 2017 and 2019.
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"Instead of carrying out their constitutional mandate of ensuring national security at the borders, they allegedly connived with vehicle smuggling syndicates to smuggle stolen vehicles through the Limpopo River in exchange for money (sic)," Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke said.
They allegedly demanded R15 000 per vehicle, which was shared among themselves.
"The suspects, whose military ranks range between Lance Corporal and Private, were on the radar of the police until they were arrested by the team in North West, Northern Cape and Free State provinces," Maluleke said.
The five accused with the rank of Private are Edward Lepokolo (48), Rapula Reuben Maidi (49), Bulelani Danti (30), Peter Thato Nemane (52) and Thembani Mjelo (31). Lance Corporals Marks Funeka (49) and Ludwe Gwedashe (44) also appeared. All seven will remain in custody until Monday, 28 June for a bail application.
National head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya hailed the collaborative efforts of the integrated team.
"We certainly hope that our joint team efforts will inspire confidence in the entire civil [service] and the South African community at large. Those who are entrusted with the responsibility to protect and serve must never be tempted by dirty money from organised criminal groups, otherwise the lessons will be learnt the hard way," Lebeya said.
