Two Ethiopian suspects were recently brought before the Secunda Magistrate’s Court for allegedly bribing a security guard at a local Spar supermarket with R100,000 to steal goods worth R250,000.
The suspects were identified as Ayela Carbo, 47, and Temsngo Gabor, 42. The pair were arrested during a joint operation conducted by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit, K9 Unit, and other stakeholders.
The two men allegedly approached the guard early in April and asked him to steal from the storeroom and deliver the goods to their shops.
According to Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, spokesperson for the Hawks in Mpumalanga, the security guard employed at HSC security was offered an initial deal of R250,000 in stock in return for R100,000.
They agreed on the deal, and the security guard reported the matter to his boss, who reported the case to Secunda Hawks-based Serious Corruption Investigation Unit for further investigation.
A sting operation was arranged, and the guard made an agreement with the Ethiopian suspects to deliver the goods to Evander taxi rank on April 20.
The main Ethiopian suspect and his accomplice were immediately apprehended upon receiving the money.
The case was postponed to April 24 to find an interpreter, and the suspects were remanded in custody for further investigation.
The alleged bribery and theft incident at Spar highlights the importance of integrity and ethical behaviour, particularly in the business sector.
Corruption is a major issue in many countries and can negatively impact the economy and society as a whole.
The involvement of law enforcement agencies, such as the Hawks, in investigating and apprehending suspects is critical in combatting corruption and restoring trust in the justice system.
It is essential for businesses to take proactive measures to prevent corruption, such as implementing strong internal controls, conducting due diligence on partners and suppliers, and providing regular ethics and compliance training for employees.