Senior prosecutor assigned to handle TMPD corruption case

AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit is encouraged by the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision to assign senior prosecutor Adv. Rachelle van der Walt to spearhead the case against three Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officers accused of graft. Emmanuel Thovhakale, Michael Soomo and Lerato Molope face charges of corruption and extortion, although it’s expected additional charges will be added.

The trio made a brief appearance in the Pretoria Regional Court where the matter was postponed to allow Van der Walt to assist the investigating officer in finalising the investigation. The unit has been briefed to act by Tshwane MMC for Community Safety Grandi Theunissen, who is a witness in the case, and Uvaldi Theologo, the complainant.

This is one of several cases involving TMPD officials where the unit has been briefed by complainants to ensure justice and accountability.

It is alleged that on 10 July 2022, Theologo was pulled over by the three accused while driving along Solomon Mahlangu Drive. She alleges that the officers accused her of driving her vehicle without an officially stamped permit, and demanded R3 000 cash to avoid her car being impounded. Feeling intimidated, Theologo says the officers followed her to an ATM but she was unable to withdraw the cash. She says the accused then followed her home, and alleges that outside her house she was given a cell phone number to which she transferred R3 000 using an eWallet facility.

While the officers were dealing with Theologo on the side of the road, Theunissen, who happened to be driving past, stopped to enquire if everything was in order. He introduced himself as the Community Safety MMC. As this took place before the officers allegedly asked for the bribe, Theunissen was assured that the metro police officials were performing their duties as expected. It was after this incident that Theologo contacted the MMC to inform him of what had happened. Theunissen then encouraged and supported Theologo when she opened a criminal case against the trio.

Adv. Gerrie Nel, head of the Private Prosecution Unit, commended the NPA for assigning Van der Walt to the case. “I am confident that the state has a strong case and encouraged that a seasoned prosecutor with many years of experience has been assigned to handle it. To bring an end to corruption within law enforcement agencies, it is imperative that those accused of such crimes are convicted and appropriately sentenced. A climate of impunity allows for corruption to flourish,” he said.

Nel added that Theunissen’s involvement is not only crucial to this case, but to every matter where TMPD officials face such allegations. “The scourge of corruption can only be rooted out where there is political will and perseverance from leadership within law enforcement agencies. Thankfully, MMC Theunissen fulfils that role,” said Nel.

The matter has been postponed to 12 March 2024.