Free State – Pule Patrick Mile (33), has appeared before Welkom Magistrates Court on Monday, 6 February 2017 facing charges of corruption, defeating the administration of justice and aiding an escape.
Mile, the defence attorney of nine illegal immigrants who were sentenced to 8 months imprisonment was arrested on Friday, 3 February 2017.
He allegedly sped off, despite the attempts made by police officer to apprehend two of the nine illegal immigrants allegedly seen leaving Welkom Magistrates court on 27 January 2016 in his vehicle.
However, at the later stage (same day), the suspects were retuned by the police officer who had allegedly escorted them to the getaway vehicle.
Upon their return, Sergeant Tumelo Daniel Lehokoe (33) was arrested and he appeared before Welkom Magistrate on 30 January 2017.
They were both released on R3 000.00 bail and are both expected to appear in Welkom Magistrates Court on 28 February 2017.
In a separate and unrelated matter, Constable Itumeleng Motlhabane (34) working at Van Rooyen Port of Entry appeared in Wepener Magistrates Court along with his accomplice from Lesotho, Hlomelang Hlapisi (40) on Monday, 6 February 2017. Their case was postponed to the 10 February 2017.
They were both charged on Thursday, 2 February 2017 for Corruption and Defeating the ends of justice after the Hawks intercepted the R30 000 bribe transaction with SARS official for the release of the goods worth R134 000 that were confiscated by SARS due to none compliance.
