WeeklySA_AdminPAY: The accused demanded R15 000 for each vehicle
By Frank Maponya
A SECOND officer in the South African National Defence Force has been arrested in connection with cross-border vehicle smuggling activities between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The arrest of the 30-year-old man, who holds the rank of Private, brings to two the number of soldiers arrested within a week for allegedly conniving with car smuggling syndicates. The arrest of the two soldiers brings to nine the number of SANDF members arrested for similar criminal offences since June this year.
Valentine Sedimosang Phetoe, 30, was arrested on Tuesday in a major breakthrough by police following months of investigations into the corrupt activities that included the practices of assisting smugglers of stolen vehicles by members of the military personnel.
Phetoe made a brief appearance in the Musina Magistrate’s Court this week and was remanded in custody until Tuesday next week for a formal bail application. His arrest followed hot on the heels of that of Luglen Peacock, 31, who also holds a similar rank in the SA National Defence Force. Peacock, who is originally from the Eastern Cape, was arrested on September 15 in Polokwane by the crime-busting unit following intensive investigations. He was granted bail of R3 000. Both Peacock and Phetoe will appear together in their next court appearance on October 25.
The suspects are accused of conniving with vehicle smuggling syndicates to smuggle vehicles stolen in South Africa through the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe.
Preliminary investigations by the Hawks have revealed that the soldiers were deployed at the Beitbridge Border post near Musina to defend and protect the territorial integrity of the Republic of South Africa between 2017 and 2019. Instead of carrying out their constitutional mandate, the accused allegedly connived with the smugglers in exchange for money.
They allegedly demanded R15 000 to smuggle a single vehicle. They then shared the money amongst themselves. The arrested soldiers have been on the radar of the crime-busting unit for months until their arrest.
According to the spokesperson for the Hawks in Limpopo, Captain Matimba Maluleke, the latest arrest of the two suspects was the last under project Night Vigil.
The other seven suspects were arrested in North West, Free State and Northern Cape provinces on June 21. All seven who were arrested earlier were released on R3 000 bail each.
Investigations were continuing.
