A corrupt ex-cop accused of dealing in drugs faces 18 months behind bars after entering into a plea agreement with the State.
Before he could face internal disciplinary proceedings, the 32-year-old former constable took the easy way out and quit from the police.
Jacobus Engelbrecht, who has two previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the charge of dealing in drugs in Caledon Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Engelbrecht was arrested at Villiersdorp SAPS in March while he was on duty and dressed in full uniform.
According to the charge sheet, the corrupt cop gave seven tik straws, weighing 0.34 grams, to a suspected drug dealer early in February and asked the man to sell it on his behalf.
But instead of selling the drugs, the dealer piemped Engelbrecht to his colleagues.
The father of two appeared on charges of dealing in drugs in Caledon Magistrates’ Court a few days later and was released on bail of R1 000.
During his bail application, it was revealed that Engelbrecht, who lives in Worcester, has two previous convictions, of assault and for theft out of a motor vehicle, when he stole a radio from a car parked at Villiersdorp SAPS.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that Engelbrecht had quit two days after his arrest.
“A disciplinary file was opened but the member purchased his discharge on 16 March after he was arrested on 14 March. The file was closed due to the fact that he is no longer in SAPS,” says Van Wyk.