Bloemfontein Police Officer Jailed for Corruption: Demands R650 Bribe at KFC Meeting with Motorist

Warrant Officer Chris Cassius Caster, a Bloemfontein-based police officer, has been sentenced to three years of direct imprisonment by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court.

A Bloemfontein police officer has found himself in trouble for taking a brbe

The disgraced officer, aged 58, was found guilty of corruption after soliciting a R650 bribe from a motorist, Aubrey Lebesane, whom he had summoned for a meeting at a KFC near Park Road Police Station.

The incident, which took place on August 26, 2022, came to light after the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) secured the conviction of Warrant Officer Caster.

According to Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping, Caster had contacted Lebesane, claiming there was a warrant for his arrest, and insisted on a meeting at the KFC to assist him with the alleged warrant.

During the meeting, Warrant Officer Caster demanded a cash bribe of R500 along with a bank transfer of R150.

Shuping revealed that Caster threatened Lebesane, stating that if he did not pay, he would spend the weekend in holding cells since it was a Friday and court appearance could only occur on Monday.

The officer received a 3 year direct prison sentence

Faced with this coercive demand, Lebesane pleaded with Caster, explaining that he only had R500 in cash and an additional R150 in his bank account.

Despite the officer’s reluctance initially, he accepted the R650 when he realized it was all the money Lebesane had.

“Warrant Officer Caster wanted more money as he did not want to risk his job for a lousy R650. He, however, took it (the R650) when he realized that it was the only money Lesabane had,” said Shuping.

What happened to the police officer

Following the incident, Lebesane promptly reported the case to Ipid, leading to Caster’s arrest after the conclusion of Ipid’s investigation.

The disgraced officer was found guilty in court and sentenced to three years of direct imprisonment.

Additionally, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

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