FORMER POLICE SERGEANT SENTENCED TO EIGHT IMPRISONMENT YEARS FOR CORRUPTION

25 June 2025

FORMER POLICE SERGEANT SENTENCED TO EIGHT IMPRISONMENT YEARS FOR CORRUPTION

Yesterday, 24 June 2025 the Mpumalanga Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Nelspruit sentenced former police Officer Enock Remas Mnisi (41) to eight years imprisonment for Contravention of Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act, three years (3) suspended for five years on condition that the accused is not convicted of committing a similar offence or extortion during the period of his suspension. The effective sentence being five years (5) direct imprisonment. The accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm as part of the sentence.

On 03 November 2020, the accused was on duty performing roadblock duties when he stopped the complainant who had passengers near Schoemanskloof turn off in Ngodwana outside Nelspruit. Mnisi demanded R20 000 claiming that the complainant was transporting counterfeit goods. The R20 000 was meant to give the complainant unauthorised privilege of evading arrest or of impounding his motor vehicle. In the process, Mnisi negotiated a reduced amount to an extent that he called the complainant’s employer demanding the transfer of such monies to the complainant’s bank account. Whereas at that stage, the complainant and the passengers were kept at the holding cells at Ngodwana Police station. After the complainant’s employer transferred the money, Mnisi took the complainant together with his colleague to the nearest ATM and withdrew R4800. Upon his return with the money, Mnisi released them. The matter was reported to the police, and the accused was arrested.

The Senior State Advocate, Derrick Mashego led credible evidence of the complainant; the passengers who testified about how the event unfolded as well as the colleague of the accused who was taken under the pretext that they were going to fix the state vehicle tyres. The evidence relating to the cash withdrawal was also presented. The court found that Mnisi’s evidence was not possibly true and was convicted of corruption.

In mitigation of sentence, the defense argued that the court should consider that Mnisi suffered the most, lost his employment and willing to pay back the money when sentencing the accused. In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Mashego submitted to court that Mnisi was greedy, gainfully employed as a law enforcement officer and employed as a police officer with an obligation to protect the community and abide by the law. The Presiding Officer remarked that the community expects the courts to deal with cases of this nature in stern action, by imposing harsher sentences to offenders and send a strong message to would-be offenders. He then sentenced Mnisi accordingly.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the conviction and sentence. This sentence re-affirms that no one is above the law and underscores the importance of protecting the integrity of the criminal justice system. We also acknowledge the bold step taken by the complainant by reporting this corrupt conduct.

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa
NPA Regional Spokesperson
DPP Mpumalanga
013-0450625/0764855446
mnyuswa@npa.gov.za