'Get rid of rotten apples': Calls for accountability in SAPS after police officers arrested in drug scandal

IOL News

13-06-2025

Three members of the SAPS Flying Squad in Mpumalanga, Sergeant Solomon Mebo, Sergeant Jabulane Mbuyane, and Constable Lavandre LaReservee, were arrested while allegedly using SAPS car to escort a vehicle loaded with dagga.
Image: SAPS
Renowned security strategist, Andy Mashaile, a retired Interpol ambassador, has condemned the involvement of police officers in criminal activities.
His remarks were expressed in an interview with IOL, following the arrest of three Mpumalanga members of the South African Police Service's Flying Squad unit for allegedly using a marked SAPS vehicle to escort a vehicle loaded with dagga.
'It is extremely disappointing for law enforcement officers to use the resources of the State to pursue personal agendas, using resources of the State for personal gain. I hope and pray that the investigation will lead to the conviction of these suspects who were wearing blue before,' said Mashaile.
'I can't wait for a judgment that turns their outfits from the blue uniform into orange overalls. Imagine the resource constraints that the SAPS has, and these vehicles being used for the commission of a crime.'
Mashaile, the former Gauteng Community Policing Forum chairperson, has considerable respect for the Flying Squad unit of SAPS.
Renowned security strategist Andy Mashaile, a retired Interpol ambassador, spoke to IOL on the involvement of police officers in crime.
Image: Supplied
'The Flying Squad has been my favourite unit when I was the chairperson of the (CPF) board in Gauteng. Now that some of us are at a position where we can make a difference in terms of saving lives and creating a safe and secure environment, you get exposed to officers committing these crimes,' he said.
'I wish that within the confines of the law, they can spend no less than 15 to 20 years in jail for dealing in drugs and for defeating the ends of justice. I am disappointed and I wish to tell other law enforcement officers, especially from the Flying Squad, if you continue to do bad in that blue uniform, karma will get back at you.'
Mashaile appealed to community members across South Africa to stay alert, and to report criminal police officers. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
'Those wearing the blue uniform have the responsibility under the National Development Plan chapter 12 that says by 2030 the people of this country should be feeling safe, and they should actually be safe. Any agent that ensures that the people are not feeling safe by violating their own code of conduct, does not belong in the SAPS.'
He added that internal disciplinary processes of the SAPS must be sharpened to expel the rotten apples within the police service.
'If we want to deal with the rot within law enforcement we must expel those members who commit crime. Those who came into the SAPS pretending to be law enforcement officers, only to find that they are criminals, must be expelled and they must be made to feel the pain of the law,' said Mashaile.
The SAPS in Mpumalanga said three police officers, Sergeant Solomon Mebo, 49, Sergeant Jabulane Mbuyane, 43, and Constable Lavandre LaReservee, 32 appeared on Thursday before the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court facing charges of defeating ends of justice.
The accused police officers were granted bail of R1,500 each. The matter was postponed to 25 July.
Police said the two other suspects, Joel Mamba, 44, and Monica Zwane, 34, will appear in court on 17 June 2025 for bail application.
On Tuesday, the SAPS in Mpumalanga said the three police officers were intercepted and arrested as they were allegedly escorting a vehicle trafficking dagga along the N4 Road near Matsulu T-junction.
'According to a report, the three members were driving in a marked police vehicle and they were in full uniform. The members were on duty at the time and the vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, was carrying 107 bags loaded with dagga,' said provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane.
'The members from Matsulu SAPS received intelligence information about the dodgy activities and responded accordingly, and cornered the suspects. The three are facing charges in relation to corrupt activities that they were allegedly involved in,' said Ndubane.
The three police officers were allegedly using a marked police vehicle to escort a Toyota Corolla loaded with dagga in Mpumalanga.
Image: SAPS
'These members are also faced with the charge defeating the ends of justice. Other related charges could be added as the investigation continues.'
Ndubane said the arrested police officers are attached to White River Flying Squad and were arrested by SAPS members from Matsulu.
The other two suspects, Mamba and Zwane who were inside the vehicle that was transporting dagga, were nabbed alongside the members of the SAPS. These suspects are separately faced with a charge of dealing in dagga, and more charges could be added.
Police said the confiscated dagga is estimated to be worth millions of rands, and all five suspects - the three police officers and the two alleged drug traffickers - appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Meanwhile, internal disciplinary actions will be instituted against the three police officers.
Acting provincial commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi has emphasised that no one is above the law, and if any police officer is found to have been involved in criminal activities, the law will take its course without any fear or favour.
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