Bail denied for Meloding female cop, accomplice charged with extortion

The Virginia Regional Court turned down a bail application brought forward by the Meloding police officer and her accomplice for extortion.

The charge resulted from collision by the pair in early March when the 41-year-old female constable and a 29-year-old woman planned to extort R15 000 from the woman’s boyfriend.

Today, the duo appeared before the court to apply for bail which the court denied.

According to Lejweleputswa police spokesperson, captain Stephen Thakeng, the woman demanded the R15 000 in exchange for dropping a rape case she allegedly registered. At the time she was working with the female constable already.

“Detective sergeant Ngomane from Anti-Corruption Unit set a trap for the pair during the exchange,” added Thakeng.

The initial trap set by the police led to the arrests of both suspects. It is alleged that, the police confiscated a cash amounting to R5 000 in the constable’s office.

Constable Nomthandazo Patience Pali and her accomplice, Lydia Simayile, appeared before the Virginia Regional Court on March 22.

The court however, postponed the case for further investigation.

As a result, the case further postponed to 15 July 2022 for trial at the Virginia Regional Court.

The police officer has also been found guilty in a departmental trial and is currently awaiting sanctions.