Police Commissioner Renews Bid to Oust Deputy Amid Corruption Allegations

Commissioner of Police, Advocate Borotho Matsoso, has renewed his bid to oust one of his deputies, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Paseka Mokete, with fresh revelations that he is now allegedly seeking to persuade prosecution to charge him with corruption.
According to a well-placed source within the police service, Adv Matsoso on Friday tried to persuade Acting Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Lehlanako Mofilikoane, to issue a directive to arrest and charge DCP Mokete.
The corruption allegations stem from an incident earlier this year at the Maputsoe Border Post in which DCP Mokete allegedly instructed police officers on duty to release a truck that had been impounded for failing to declare a consignment of cigarettes.
According to a well-placed source within the police service, DCP Mokete immediately contacted the officer heading CID in Maputsoe for clarification and after being briefed on the situation, he instructed that the truck be released to its owner. Now, the Police Commissioner, who is fighting Mokete, wants to use the case against him.
The source further alleged that investigators were under pressure to build a case and even mentioned that the police who were investigating the matter were told to make sure they find something — or else they too would face the music.
Meanwhile, Adv Matsoso earlier this week mentioned that all questions to do with the police should be strictly addressed to the police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli. However, when contacted for comment, Senior Superintendent Mopeli said he was not aware of the case but promised to look into it and respond.