ALI MPHAKI
A SENIOR police officer at the Diepkloof police station is still on duty despite allegations that she is selling fake liquor permits.
The first case of fraud against Captain Lindiwe Vena was reported earlier this year, and an investigation into the matter has not been finalised.
Another fraud case was reported against her at the weekend after a woman claimed she paid Vena R6 000 to obtain a liquor permit. Both transactions are said to have occurred in Vena’s office.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Bongani Mhlongo confirmed that a second fraud case was reported against Vena and that it had been referred to the Organised Crime Unit.
“Once they have obtained a docket and appointed an investigating officer, she will definitely be arrested,” said Mhlongo.
Gugu Glenrose Ngwenya said she was introduced to Vena by another shebeener, a Mr Dlamini, of Zone 6 Diepkloof, at an anti-crime meeting involving shebeeners and the police early this year.
Ngwenya claimed Vena had told her to come with money to room 37 at the Diepkloof police station and that she would give her a liquor permit.
“I first paid her R500 and she said she will call me to come and fetch the permit. True to her word, she did call, and I paid her an additional sum of R5 400,” she said.
But unbeknown to Ngwenya, the permit was a fake. She discovered this when she produced her permit The reality struck when police raided her shebeen on Saturday night.
SA Liquor Traders’ Association (Salta) president Saint Madlala said it was shocking that people who were supposed to be at the forefront of fighting corruption were the ones perpetuating it.
Madlala said Salta offices were inundated daily by members who claimed police harassment or corruption.
“In their quest to make an honest living, shebeeners have become an easy target for the police. These are desperate people trying to operate their businesses legally but face all sorts of obstacles, including corrupt police officers.
“We need to tackle police corruption head-on so as to rid the liquor industry of this scourge,” said Madlala, who encouraged shebeeners to report any corruption to their nearest police station.
Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Qedani Mahlangu revealed last month that it cost about R2 500 to obtain a liquor licence and that her department was concerned that some lawyers were charging exorbitant fees to help with licences, their fees ranging from R10 000 to R50 000.
She believed that fixing the system would eliminate these middlemen and reduce the cost of doing business.