A 46-year-old Limpopo police sergeant attached to the Tzaneen family violence, child protection, and sexual offences (FCS) unit has appeared before the Ritavi Magistrate's Court, facing charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the embattled Detective Sergeant Klass Edmond Mulungwa was arrested following an investigation by the provincial anti-corruption unit.

On Wednesday, the court released Mulungwa on R1,000 bail, and his case was postponed to April 25.

“The arrest follows allegations that on February 6, 2024, Detective Sergeant Klass Edmond Mulungwa failed to escort a prisoner for mental observation at a mental hospital. On the same day, concerns were raised when the accused in a schedule six offence, a case of rape of a minor, was released from custody without a formal bail application,” said Mashaba.

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“An internal investigation revealed that Detective Sergeant Mulungwa had allegedly acted without authorization, misleading the prosecutor into believing that the bail was not opposed.”

Following a thorough investigation, the case was presented to the director of public prosecutions, and a warrant of arrest was issued.

On Tuesday, members of the Limpopo provincial anti-corruption unit and tactical response team (TRT) arrested the detective while he was on duty. He was detained at Ritavi police station ahead of his court appearance.

Meanwhile, provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the arrest, and reaffirmed the police’s “zero-tolerance stance on corruption”.

She emphasised that officers found abusing their powers will face the full might of the law.