DELMAS – Former Delmas police officer, Samuel Bassie Mahlangu, 61, has been sentenced to three years in prison for defeating the ends of justice and tampering with evidence.
The sentence was handed down by the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on February 12, 2025. Mahlangu has the option to pay a fine of R15,000 instead of serving time.
On August 02, 2023, a member of National Crime Intelligence visited the police station to conduct further investigations on the exhibits. The investigation revealed that Mahlangu had disposed of the gold-bearing material, claiming he was unaware that it was evidence. He pointed out the location where he had dumped the exhibits – a bin used for garbage at the back of the police station. There was no disposal form or any written record indicating that the exhibits had been disposed of.
The investigation was carried out by the Hawks Middelburg-based Serious Corruption Investigation Unit. Mahlangu was summoned to appear in court on May 14,2024, and his sentence follows a thorough investigation.
The court’s sentence includes a suspended sentence of one year or a R5,000 fine, provided Mahlangu is not found guilty of similar offences within the next five years. The investigation has sparked strong reactions from members of the public, who have long been frustrated by allegations of corruption in government departments.
“This is a disgrace to the police service,” said Nomsa Mazibuko, a Delmas resident. “The police are supposed to uphold the law, not break it. This officer has betrayed the trust of the community and undermined the fight against illegal mining.”
“This incident erodes public trust in the police,” added Jacob Dlamini, a Delpark resident. “We rely on the police to protect us and uphold justice. This officer’s actions have undermined that trust and damaged the reputation of the police service.”
