FREE STATE – Three suspects aged between 50 and 75 were arrested yesterday, 3 August 2021 and in the early hours of today by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Bloemfontein assisted by the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Crime Intelligence (CI) both from Bloemfontein for corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
On Thursday, 29 July 2021 the suspects allegedly approached the victim and paid her R6000 then insisted that she must withdraw the case of rape and trafficking in persons against the accused, Simon Galaka who is currently in custody. The suspects who are the relatives of the accused continuously contacted the victim and her family to force them to withdraw the case. They promised that once the case has been withdrawn they will pay the remaining amount of R6000.
It is further alleged that they also wrote a letter to the victim’s family, committing themselves that they will pay the promised money as a portion of lobola to the victim. The matter was then reported to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Bloemfontein who then informed and instructed the Hawks to open a case of corruption and defeating the ends of justice against the relatives of the accused. A case was then opened and a warrant of arrest was issued by the court which led to the arrest of the three.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 5 August 2021.
