Five police sergeants attached to the Vanderbijlpark SAPS Task Team have appeared in court on charges of corruption and extortion after allegedly demanding a R100,000 bribe from a local business owner, Simon Majadibodu.

The accused officers—Sgt Johannes Thakhisi, Sgt Ntombeko Seya, Sgt Mpho Molatedi, Sgt Nhlanhla Sithole, and Sgt Tlokotsi Kgany—made their first court appearance on July 7, 2026, following an investigation by the Hawks' Vaal Serious Corruption Investigation unit.

The incident allegedly occurred on October 27, 2024, when the officers raided Oreo Supermarket under the pretense of searching for illicit cigarettes.They demanded a R100,000 bribe to avoid an arrest, which was later reduced to R25,000 through negotiations involving a third party.The complainant secretly reported the extortion to the Hawks, leading to an undercover sting operation.Despite operational delays, the investigation continued, and further threats against the complainant were included in the case.

The Director of Public Prosecutions authorized criminal charges, and the accused were summoned to court on June 18, 2026, with their case postponed to July 13, 2026, for further investigation.The case highlights systemic issues of corruption within law enforcement and the challenges of prosecuting such allegations.