Police officer up for
aiding after man escapes
WO Elias Beetha was arrested on Monday for aiding
...show more
Police’s Anti-Corruption Unit arrested a police
warrant officer, Elias Beetha (49) on Monday night for helping a man to escape
from lawful custody
30 August 2012 | Nelie Erasmus
The police’s Anti-Corruption Unit arrested a
police warrant officer, Elias Beetha (49) on Monday night for helping a man to
escape from lawful custody, and defeating the ends of justice.
Beetha appeared in the Polokwane magistrate’s court
on Tuesday on charges of defeating the ends of justice.
Beetha, from Westenburg police
station, allegedly booked the man out from the police holding cells for
an investigation on July 28.
The man was facing charges of robbery, theft out of
a motor vehicle and escaping from lawful custody.
Beetha reported that the man had escaped while
under his guard, and that his attempts to re-arrest him had failed.
The escapee was re-arrested a week later and
was charged with an additional charge of escaping from lawful custody.
Beetha was arrested by the Hawks on Monday night
and was detained at the Seshego police station.
The police’s provincial spokesperson, Brig Hangwani
Mulaudzi said internal disciplinary processes had started against Beetha
and he had been issued with a notice of intention to suspend him.
Mulaudzi said the police were "perplexed"
when the magistrate released Beetha on a warning.
The case was postponed until 19 September.
