FORMER POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR CORRUPTION

06 June 2025

FORMER POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT FOR CORRUPTION

Kuruman, Northern Cape – The Kuruman Regional Court has sentenced former South African Police Service (SAPS) Constable, Johannes Shuping, to six years of direct imprisonment after convicting him on two counts of corruption involving R10,000 solicited from a member of the public. The charges relate to a 2018 incident in which Shuping, then a detective at Kathu SAPS, re-arrested the complainant, Buti Moepadira, despite the case already being before the court.

Following the arrest, Shuping offered to “make the docket disappear” in exchange for a payment of R11,000.
Moepadira, who was detained at Kathu Police Station due to a lack of accommodation in Kuruman, was allowed by Shuping to use his cellphone to arrange the payment. A R6,000 cash payment was delivered to the accused by the complainant’s brother. Shuping continued to demand the outstanding R5,000, prompting Moepadira to report the matter to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks).

A sting operation was then conducted under Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act, using marked banknotes provided by the investigating officer. During the operation, the complainant’s brother handed over the remaining R4,000 to the accused. Shuping fled the scene but was arrested a week later at his workplace. At the time of his arrest, he was found in possession of marked R200 notes, which matched the serial numbers recorded during the operation.
Prosecutor Kagontle Redemption Barnett took over the case after the original prosecutor was appointed to the bench. In aggravation of sentence, she argued that Shuping had grossly abused his position of authority and violated the public trust. As a law enforcement officer, he was duty-bound to uphold the law, but instead chose to betray his oath and the Constitution. She emphasised that a strong sentence would deter similar conduct and reinforce public confidence in the criminal justice system.

The court concurred and sentenced Shuping to six years of direct imprisonment on each count, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of six years’ direct imprisonment.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the conviction and sentence. This outcome reaffirms that no one is above the law and underscores the importance of protecting the integrity of the criminal justice system by holding those who abuse their power accountable.

Issued by:

Mojalefa Senokoatsane
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Northern Cape Division
MSenokoatsane@npa.gov.za
073 423 3539