The conviction and sentencing of former Western Cape top cop Arno Lamoer for corruption, has been welcomed by National Police Commissioner General Khehla John Sitole.
Former Police Commissioner Lamoer, former SAPS Brigadiers Darius Van Der Ross and Colin Govender, as well as businessman Saleem Dawjee, received their sentences in their corruption cases on Thursday, by the High Court in Cape Town.
They have been convicted of corruption, racketeering and money laundering after the former police officers admitted to receiving gratifications worth thousands of rands from Dawjee.
Lamoer and Dawjee were handed an effective six years imprisonment, while Govender and Van Der Ross have been sentenced to four years and two years respectively.
“The conviction and sentencing of these men for corruption is in line with the SAPS objective of stamping the authority of the state. Such infractions by members of the SAPS will neither be tolerated nor condoned,” said General Sitole.
He said as disconcerting as these convictions and sentencing may seem, the people of South Africa are urged to view this outcome positively as it is indicative of an effective and efficient criminal justice system.
According to General Sitole, such an outcome reflects that no matter what position one holds in the SAPS, nobody is above the law.
“Government officials, particularly policemen and women, are constantly being warned of the consequences of engaging in corrupt behaviour and relationships and these latest convictions and sentencing are a stark reminder of those consequences,” said General Sitole.
He called on all South Africans to continue to join hands in the fight against crime and corruption so that the objectives of the greater economic strategy of the country can be realised.
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