Three behind bars for enticing victim to withdraw pending charges

Three suspects between the ages of 50 and 75 were arrested in Bloemfontein over charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

On the eve of early hours of Wednesday, 03 August 2021, the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, joined by the Bloemfontein Tactical Response Team (TRT) and the Crime Intelligence (CI) made arrest of the trio.

According to a statement released, “three suspects approached the victim on Thursday, 29 July 2021, made a payment of R6 000, insisting that she must withdraw the charges of rape and trafficking in the case against the accused, Simon Galaka, who is currently in custody.”

The suspects alleged to be relatives of the accused, continuously contacted the victim and her family in an attempt to forcefully make them drop the charges.

It is further reported that, the arrested suspects also promised the victim and her family another R6 000 once the charges were dropped.

Furthermore, it is alleged that the trio also wrote a letter to the victim’s family binding themselves that the promised amount of money will be paid as a portion of lobola to the victim.

It was then that, the matter was reported to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Bloemfontein.

The DPP then notified the Hawks to open a case of corruption and defeating the ends of justice against the relatives of the accused.

Prior to the opening of the case, a warrant of arrest, which was issued by the court, led to the arrest of the three.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 05 August 2021.