Pay R5 000 & walk free? – Shock claims rock Joburg police stations

Police

Johannesburg – Police in Gauteng have reportedly launched a threat and risk assessment after social media allegations claimed that officers are releasing undocumented immigrants in exchange for bribes during operations.

Posts online alleged that officers at stations including Hillbrow and Johannesburg Central arrest foreign nationals — both documented and undocumented — and then free them for payments ranging from R500 to R5 000.

Crime activist Yusuf Abramjee described the claims as an alleged “cash-for-freedom racket” operating inside police stations.

“Allegations are surfacing again that police officers at several Gauteng police stations — including Hillbrow and Johannesburg Central — are arresting foreign nationals on a large scale, both documented and undocumented, only to release them shortly afterwards in exchange for cash,” Abramjee said.

“Payments of between R500 and R5 000 are reportedly being demanded. This is nothing less than extortion. It means police officers are allegedly running an illegal cash-for-freedom racket from inside police stations.

“This must stop!”

According to The Citizen, Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said SAPS management takes the allegations seriously and will not tolerate corruption, extortion or misconduct.

She noted that operations such as Operation Shanela are conducted jointly with the Department of Home Affairs, which verifies immigration status.

Police said the circulating image does not provide sufficient evidence of wrongdoing and urged the public to report any corruption.

The Johannesburg district has tasked crime intelligence with conducting a threat and risk assessment, reaffirming SAPS’s commitment to accountability and action against corruption.

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