
22/07/2025
Three police officers in a marked SAPS van stole packets of washing powder after a delivery truck lost control and veered off the road.
In a significant crackdown on corruption, two police officers and a cleaner employed by the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo have been arrested.
This follows a thorough investigation spearheaded by the Limpopo provincial anti-corruption unit. The three SAPS employees, stationed at the Modimolle police station, now face serious charges of theft and defeating the ends of justice.
“The arrests stem from an incident that occurred on July 14 2025, at around 4:20am on the R101 road, approximately 10 kilometres outside Modimolle in the direction of Polokwane. A delivery truck transporting several pallets of washing powder reportedly lost control and veered off the road, causing some of its cargo to spill onto the roadside,” provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.
While the driver attempted to secure the crash scene, several vehicles stopped, and individuals began looting the washing powder.
Shortly after, a marked SAPS vehicle arrived with the two police officers.
“Reports suggest that the complainant pleaded with them to assist in stopping the looting, but instead, the officers allegedly joined in, loading a significant amount of washing powder into the SAPS vehicle before driving off — leaving the driver behind as looting continued,” said Ledwaba.