Advocate Avinash Ramapararat, a prosecutor with the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU), along with two police officers, Sergeant Herman Matsabane Mnguni and Constable Abdul Haig Shaik from Wierdabrug Police Station, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates' Court for a bail hearing on charges of corruption and extortion.
The three are accused of extorting R100,000 and R300,000 from a businessman who was arrested on fraud charges on June 28, 2024. Allegedly, following the businessman’s arrest, Advocate Ramapararat and Constable Shaik demanded R300,000 to secure his release. The businessman’s business partner reportedly provided the funds, and the businessman was subsequently released. However, when the demands for money allegedly continued, the businessman reported the situation to authorities.
A sting operation, coordinated by the National Anti-Corruption Investigations Unit, led to the arrest of the two police officers on October 25 and 26, when Sgt Mnguni accepted a further R100,000 payment. Advocate Ramapararat was later arrested on October 31, 2024.
The accused appeared in court for a schedule 5 bail application, which was unopposed. The court has scheduled a bail judgment for November 4, 2024, with the three remaining in custody until then.
