KNYSNA NEWS - The rooting out of fraud and corruption within the police service has been welcomed by the greater Knysna community and the Knysna Magistrate's Court following the sentencing of a former Knysna Police officer to direct imprisonment for corruption-related offences.
The former police officer, Ralston Curwyne Selwyne Pietersen (48), was sentenced to six years' direct imprisonment after being found guilty of corruption and related charges in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on Tuesday 20 January.
Pietersen, who previously served as a sergeant at Knysna Police, was convicted on multiple counts including corruption, fraud, forgery and defeating the administration of justice.
The Directorate for Prio-rity Crime Investigation (Hawks) in the Western Cape confirmed that the offences were committed between September and October 2020.
According to Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani of the Hawks, Pietersen abused his position of authority by approaching a member of the public and soliciting a cash payment in exchange for assistance with the withdrawal of outstanding traffic fines.
Further investigation revealed that Pietersen submitted a falsified affidavit, fraudulently signed in the complainant's name, to have the charges unlawfully withdrawn.
It was established that he received R2 000 in cash for his actions, which directly undermined public trust in law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
After Pietersen's arrest on 19 March 2021, allegations surfaced on social media claiming that he had previously protected alleged perpetrators and criminals, while falsely accusing others and fabricating statements.
These allegations were widely shared and discussed, particularly in the comments section of the Knysna-Plett Herald's website on an article relating to his arrest. While these claims were not part of the charges before the court, they reflected growing community concerns about police misconduct and accountability at the time.
The matter was referred to the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation Unit based in George for further investigation. After a thorough probe and a decision by the director of public prosecutions, Pietersen was formally charged in May 2021.
In sentencing, the court imposed four years' direct imprisonment on counts 1, 2, 3 and 6, and two years' direct imprisonment on counts 4, 5 and 7.
A further one-year sentence on count 8 will run concurrently with counts 4, 5 and 7, bringing the effective sentence to six years' direct imprisonment.
The Western Cape Hawks Provincial Head, Major General Mathipa Makgato, welcomed the outcome and said the sentence sends a clear message that corruption within law enforcement will not be tolerated, reaffirming that no one is above the law and that the integrity of the justice system must be protected.
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