A Mokopane-based police sergeant has been handed a five-year direct prison sentence following his conviction for corruption by the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
Sergeant Naponel Lucas Macheke (42), attached to the Visible Policing unit at Mokopane SAPS, was also declared unfit to possess a firearm under the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
The case originated from an incident on 20 August 2022, when a complainant became involved in a dispute with an employee. The employee later laid an assault charge with police. After officers responded to the complaint and arranged medical treatment for the employee, the complainant received a phone call from a man who identified himself as a police officer from Mokopane SAPS. Citing the severity of the employee’s injuries, the officer instructed the complainant to report to the police station.
At the station, the officer demanded R2,000.00 from the complainant, specifying that R1,000.00 was for the police and the remaining R1,000.00 would be passed to the employee. When the complainant indicated he did not have the money available at that time, he was told to contact the officer once the funds were secured and was then allowed to leave.
The complainant reported the incident to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit, which launched an investigation.
On 29 August 2022, a Section 252A trap operation was executed in Mokopane. As part of the operation, the complainant handed over R500.00 to the suspect according to prior arrangement. Sergeant Macheke was arrested immediately upon receiving the money, which was subsequently recovered from his possession and submitted as evidence.
Macheke was granted bail of R2,000.00 and appeared before the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on multiple occasions leading up to his conviction and sentencing on Tuesday, 02 June 2026.
The sentence underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement and prosecuting authorities to address misconduct within police ranks and uphold accountability in public service.