SA Cop Arrested For Trying To Book Frank Buyanga Out Of Prison
A South African detective constable is set to appear in court, on charges of defeating the ends of justice.
The police officer was arrested by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation Unit as he allegedly tried to book out Zimbabwean businessman Frank Buyanga from prison.
Buyanga has been locked up at Sun City Prison in South Africa since November 2022 following his arrest through Interpol.
IOL reported Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale as saying on Friday, the detective almost booked out Buyanga from the Johannesburg Correctional Service.
The detective wanted to book out the Zimbabwean businessman on the pretext that he was going to do an investigation. Said Mogale:
The constable’s arrest emanated from a (case) of fraud and contravention of the Immigration Act against a foreign national businessman, Frank Buyanga who was charged on 28 November 2022, and subsequently refused bail as the accused was also wanted for kidnapping in his country of origin.
It is alleged on Friday, 14 April 2023, the investigation officer received a call from Johannesburg Correctional Services, notifying him that another police officer, a constable wants to book out the accused (Buyanga) for investigation.
The investigating officer immediately requested the prison warders to delay the detective constable, as he and his colleagues were on their way. Said Mogale:
Upon arrival, the constable from Mondeor detectives was presented and further questioned, where it was discovered that he had no case connected to the accused (Buyanga). The member has been arrested.
Buyanga is wanted back in Zimbabwe on alleged kidnapping charges of his juvenile son.
He was arrested by Interpol South Africa through the assistance of the SAPS National Intervention Unit in an early morning raid at an upmarket hotel in Sandton, Joburg, in November.
He was granted R150 000 bail by the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on allegations of kidnapping his son in Harare in 2020 and on charges of contempt of court.
But before he regained his freedom, he was re-arrested, accused of breaching South African immigration laws.
More: Pindula News
