Officer’s Background and Actions Under Scrutiny Amidst Serious Allegations
Constable Minenhle Makhaye, a police officer facing multiple charges, remains in custody following recent revelations in court that have raised serious questions about his conduct and accountability within law enforcement.
During his court appearance, several details came to light about Makhaye's background and recent actions. According to statements, Makhaye admitted to a history of alcoholism and acknowledged he may still require further treatment. His struggles with alcohol have surfaced in previous incidents, including one during the 2021 unrest when he was allegedly found intoxicated and in police uniform by security officers—an allegation he disputes in part, claiming disagreement only over the attire details. Despite the circumstances, he avoided charges at that time.
In an unrelated incident, a building at Cato Manor police station, where Makhaye is stationed, was destroyed by fire while an investigation into his conduct was ongoing. Intriguingly, the offices of three investigators involved in the case were broken into, with Magistrate Ashwin Singh noting the possibility of Makhaye's involvement as part of his bail judgment.
The court further heard that Makhaye was found in possession of 272 bank cards, reportedly taken directly from banks at Bridge City Mall, a location later destroyed by arson. Makhaye claimed the cards were brought to him by his late grandfather, despite a personal document belonging to him found among the cards.
Bail Denied for Constable in Hijacking-Linked Case Involving Victim’s Bank Card
Another allegation involves Makhaye’s use of a card belonging to Ramsamy, which he defended as an accidental mix-up, stating he mistakenly picked up the card and inadvertently used it multiple times to purchase liquor. Evidence suggests transactions may have been split to avoid triggering the PIN code limit, an approach questioned by police. Magistrate Singh criticized Makhaye for failing to report this for three weeks, emphasizing that such inaction is unacceptable for a law enforcement officer.
Makhaye is also expected to face charges related to the 2021 looting and remains under investigation by the Hawks regarding potential links to the hijacking that tragically resulted in the death of 11-year-old Zarah Ramsamy.
Constable Makhaye is set to remain in custody until his next court appearance on December 10, with his case raising critical concerns over oversight within the police service.
Reported by Dasen Thathiah
