A 54-year-old African male defence attorney has been arrested in Ventersburg following a duly authorised entrapment operation conducted by Provincial Organised Crime Investigations, the Provincial Tracking Team, and the Provincial Technical Support Unit of Crime Intelligence.
The suspect is the legal representative for three accused persons facing charges related to the theft of agricultural seed valued at over R2 million from farms in the Bothaville, Viljoenskroon, and Ventersburg farming communities.
According to authorities, the investigating officer in the case was allegedly offered monetary gratification to allow the accused persons to be released without bail being opposed. The operation culminated when officials apprehended the suspect immediately following the anticipated handover of bribery money from the attorney to the investigating officer.
The three accused persons represented by the suspect were scheduled to appear in the Ventersburg Magistrate’s Court today on three counts of burglary at business premises and possession of suspected stolen property.
A case docket for corruption and obstructing the course of justice has been opened at Ventersburg Police Station. The suspect is expected to appear in the Hennenman Magistrate’s Court soon.