A third police officer from the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) has appeared in the dock after being accused of konkeling with a gangster and accepting a bribe of R10 000.
Sergeant Umir Salie, 46, made his first appearance at the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Friday after he was busted in an undercover sting last week.
Daily Voice sources say Salie, who is a seasoned cop at AGU, allegedly agreed to accept R10 000 from the family of a Hout Bay skollie he arrested to ensure that his impounded car was released and that he was given bail.
“Salie was investigating a case against Jimmy Adams, who is going on trial for two murders in Hermanus and Hout Bay. He told Jimmy that he must pay him R10 000 to get his car out of the Sap13 [evidence storage] and then he will also arrange for bail,” the source says.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, says Salie was charged with corruption after information was received that he requested money to arrange that a suspect in a murder case which he is investigating is released on bail.
“An undercover operation was held and the money was handed over to him. He was arrested at Wynberg court after the money was found in his possession,” he says.
Salie appeared at the same court, where he is released on R1000 bail.
He is the third cop from the same unit accused of smokkeling with skollies.
Earlier this year, the Hawks busted Sergeant Wayne Henderson who was charged with corruption for allegedly accepting R100 000 to tamper with evidence in the murder trial of Brian Wainstein.
Henderson appeared alongside alleged underworld kingpin, Mark Lifman and alleged Sexy Boys gang boss, Jerome Booysen, but was released on R5000 bail.
Several months later, cops arrested Sergeant Ashley Tabisher for allegedly accepting R10 000 and a cellphone from an affiliate of alleged underworld kingpin Nafiz Modack.
Tabisher’s wife, Rene, says they are disgusted after learning that bail was only opposed for her husband while other dirty cops were released almost immediately.
“We are so disgusted in the justice system. Ashley has been incarcerated for 188 days and we have appeared for bail 27 times. Our lawyer has been ready for bail since 4 May,” she says.
“Our daughter had to celebrate her fourth birthday without her dad. She is always asking for her father, cries herself to sleep and calls for him in her sleep.
“Why are they treating Ashley differently from the other officers? The other police officer was caught red-handed and released while Ashley’s case is that he may or may not have received money.
“We want answers from the DPP, NPA and the Minister of Police. We have a petition going and 2364 people have signed for Ashley to be released.”