The officers were found guilty on three charges that included racketeering, corruption, and violating the Immigration Act. They were arrested in March 2017. Advocate Andries Nkome, appearing on behalf of the accused number two, three, five and six, indicated on Wednesday after the judgment by Mbele that his instruction was to apply for leave to appeal the conviction and sentence. Advocate Lerata Mashee, appearing for accused number four, and Advocate Rene Bester, appearing on half of accused number 7 - who is the only female in the matter - also indicated to Mbele that they will appeal her judgment. Mashee tells OFM News that the sentence by Mbele is quite harsh, hence he intends to make an application for leave for appeal.

Meanwhile, state prosecutors Mvuseni Poney and Thokozile Zumani confirmed that will oppose the application.

Bester, on behalf of Manthoto Edith Qasha (35), also shared the sentiments of Mashee but further indicated that her client will only appeal against her sentence. She relies more on the fact that her client has already taken responsibility and showed remorse for what she has done. The seven are said to have benefitted at least an amount of R3000 to R7000 during the period of March to September 2016, while accepting bribes of R150 and sharing R50 each day from a single illegal immigrant.

The sentenced police officers are Philemon Moloi (32), Malefetsane Amos Khala (33), Lapapa Gerth Thithi (37), Dumisani Jeffery Matobako (35), Shale Vincent Mokhitli (37), Modise Abel Malefane (37), and Manthoto Edith Qasha (35). Advocate Nkome represented accused number 1 Moloi, 2 Khala, 3 Thithi, 5 Mokhitli, and 6 Malefane. Advocate Mashee represented accused number 4 Matobako, while Advocate Bester represented the only female accused in the matter, Qasha. Nkome says he will seek leave to appeal the sentencing and conviction because he believes that Mbele errored by finding his clients guilty on these charges despite the lack of material evidence directly linking his clients to the proceeds of these crimes. Meanwhile, Mashee further tells OFM News that his appeal will only be filed sometime next week.

OFM News