Two KZN police sergeants arrested for extortion in Amaoti
Two KwaZulu‑Natal police sergeants were arrested for extorting illegal shebeen and illicit cigarette operators in Amaoti. KZN police said the Anti‑Corruption Unit is investigating, and more charges may follow as victims come forward.
Image: Itumeleng English/African News Agency (ANA).
Two KwaZulu‑Natal police sergeants have been arrested by the Provincial Anti‑Corruption Unit on charges of extortion following months of alleged illegal activities in the Amaoti area.
According to provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the arrests took place in Inanda on Friday, 20 February 2026, after investigations revealed that one sergeant stationed at Inanda police station and another at Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court had been demanding money from operators of illegal shebeens and illicit cigarette sellers.
“For several months, the two suspects would allegedly approach the victims, present themselves as police officers, and produce authentic police identification cards and firearms before demanding money from the victims in exchange for not arresting them,” said Netshiunda.
Netshiunda said that on 14 January 2026, the Amaoti community came together, apprehended the two officers, disarmed them, and took them to the Amaoti satellite police station. Police on duty at the satellite police station redirected the community members to Inanda police station to open cases.
“The same police officers reportedly drove out of the satellite station with the two apprehended police officers in the back of a police van,” he said.
“When the community arrived at Inanda police station, they were perplexed to find out that the two police officers were not brought to the station and that nobody at the Community Service Centre had any knowledge about the alleged extortion and the apprehension of police officers.”
The Provincial Anti‑Corruption Unit took over the investigation, culminating in the arrest of the two sergeants.
They are scheduled to appear in Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 February 2026, facing four counts of extortion, Netshiunda said.
Authorities have warned that additional charges may follow as more victims come forward to open cases against them.
Police have also confirmed that an investigation into defeating the ends of justice is at an advanced stage against officers who allegedly failed to open a case and aided their colleagues’ escape from the Amaoti satellite police station.
KwaZulu‑Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said police must first address corruption within their ranks to effectively fight crime.
“There are few individuals who are tarnishing the name of the police, and we must deal with them from within and get rid of them.
''We cannot have police officers who are in cahoots with criminals, and those who are found to be involved in any form of criminal activities must be arrested and face internal disciplinary sanctions,” he said.
He also praised the Amaoti community for their role in upholding the law.
“We thank the community of Amaoti for respecting the law by not taking the law into their hands, but apprehending the suspects and handing them over to the authorities.
''We apologise that some of us let you down and released the suspects; however, the wrath of the law will take its course, and justice will be served,” Mkhwanazi added.
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