A senior member of the SAPS attached to the Vuwani Police appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate's Court, following his arrest a fortnight ago on charges of corruption and extortion.

Det W/O Tshidaho Moses Mashishi (50) of Tshimbupfe was not asked to plead when he appeared in court on Monday, 29 September. The case was postponed to last Friday (3 October) for his bail application to be heard. He was given bail of R3 000 and the case was postponed to 27 November.

According to information made available, a woman laid a charge of rape against a man. Instead of arresting the suspect, Mashishi allegedly phoned the suspect and demanded money, with promises to make the case disappear. The man apparently phoned the Hawks' special investigating unit, who helped set a trap for the suspect.

The incident happened at the Vuwani Complex and Mashishi allegedly asked for R6 000.

When Mashishi appeared in court last week, members of the community packed the small court room. Mashishi is a well-known policeman, who has been in the service for more than 20 years.

The bail application was handled by a magistrate and prosecutor from outside Limpopo.

Police spokesperson Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed Mashishi's arrest. "He was arrested, following allegations that he thad taken money in order to make a rape case disappear," he said.