Police captain tells court of undercover operation to trap cop
Minutes later, undercover police officials surrounded the allegedly corrupt police official, who was in an unmarked police Toyota Etios, and arrested him, the court heard.
Former warrant officer Shaun Davids appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Bellville before magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg, and pleaded not guilty to a charge of corruption.
The undercover operation took place in the parking area at the Nandos outlet in Grassy Park.
According to the charge sheet, Davids intercepted a suspect on the Cape Flats for the illegal possession of crayfish, and confiscated the suspect’s vehicle and cellphone.
Prosecutor Simon Leope alleged that Davids requested R3,000 from the suspect to release him on bail, which the suspect paid.
It is alleged that after the finalisation of the crayfish matter, Davids offered to release the suspect’s confiscated car, for an additional R3,000.
Instead of paying the second amount, the suspected reported the matter to the police and the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) obtained authorisation from the local Directorate for Public Prosecutions to set up an undercover operation to trap Davids.
Captain Kevin Willis told the court that he obtained R3,000 from police funds after taking a sworn statement from the crayfish suspect.
The suspect arranged to meet Davids at the Nandos parking lot and the suspect was given the R3,000 police money to give to Davids.
When Davids arrived, the suspect, wearing a cap, joined Davids in the Etios.
Willis said he kept observation from a shop nearby and waited for the suspect to wave his cap.
When this happened Willis requested police backup and a number of police vehicles surrounded the Etios to stop Davids in case he tried to speed away.
Willis said he then approached Davids, seated behind the steering wheel of the Etios, and introduced himself.
Although Davids allegedly requested two amounts of R3,000 – the first for the suspect’s release on bail, and the second for the release of the suspect’s confiscated car and cellphone – Davids is only charged with the second.
The case continues on August 31, when defence attorney Janine Boltman is to take Willis under cross-examination.
ANA