A 41-year-old police sergeant from Belhar is scheduled to appear in the Bellville Magistrates Court today after he was allegedly caught in possession of cocaine while packaging drugs over the weekend. The officer, who serves as a detective at Belhar Police Station, was apprehended by law enforcement during a raid in Navara Street, Belhar.
According to sources familiar with the operation, members of Operation Restore conducted the raid and were reportedly shocked when they discovered the suspect’s police identification card at the scene.
An insider described the moment of discovery:
“There are drug posts in that area run by two gangs, namely the Sexy Boys and the Junior Mafias. I do not know who that house belongs to in Navara Street where he was caught, but they were arrested by members of Operation Restore. They caught him swaaing af pakkies of cocaine, and he had a scale and alles.”
The same source added that officers involved in the bust could hardly believe that they had arrested one of their own:
“They found his police ID, and that is when they realised they were busy arresting one of their own. The manne were laughing because there have long been allegations about that sergeant, and now here he is, uitgevang. They took him to Delft SAPS, where they also handed in his firearm.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed the arrest and outlined the charges against the officer:
“Members of Operation Restore arrested a 41-year-old SAPS member attached to Belhar SAPS when he was found in possession of 11 packets containing cocaine in Navara Street, Belhar.
“The members searched the premises and found the suspect in possession of the drugs. He is also facing a charge of failing to safeguard a firearm.”
The officer is expected to face two charges in court today, related to drug possession and firearm negligence.
The Belhar Community Police Forum (CPF) has expressed deep concern over the arrest and intends to seek further clarity on the matter. CPF spokesperson Shireen Nordien confirmed that they would be engaging the station commander:
“The CPF views this as a very serious matter. At this stage, we have only been informed by the media of the arrest and will be requesting a meeting with the station commander to be properly briefed on this arrest.”
Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, also commented on the matter, welcoming the officer’s arrest and calling for legal action:
“I welcome the arrest of a police officer attached to Belhar SAPS for allegedly being in possession of cocaine and for firearm-related charges.
“It remains a concern when SAPS members find themselves on the wrong side of the law. The law must now take its course…”
