Retired police colonel sentenced to eight years imprisonment for bribe

Share the Article:

The Johannesburg specialised commercial crimes court has sentenced a former police colonel to eight years in prison for accepting a bribe in exchange for facilitating an investigation.

This comes after a case was filed against Gregory Edmund Beck by a complaint in December 2014 with the office of the provincial commissioner regarding the mishandling of a case by police in Vereeniging.

It was revealed that the 68-year-old, then an active officer, demanded a bribe of R5,000 to ensure the investigation was concluded properly, said Phindi Mjonondwane,
NPA Gauteng spokesperson. 

According to Mjonondwane, the complainant, who initially promised to provide the requested amount later, reported Beck’s corrupt demand to the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit.

“In response, the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP) in Johannesburg approved an entrapment operation to catch the accused in the act.

“On 4 March 2015, the complainant, accompanied by police officials, met with Beck at a local restaurant.

“During this meeting, the complainant handed over the R5,000, after which Beck was immediately arrested, and the money was recovered from him,” she explained.

Mjonondwane stated that although Beck pleaded not guilty, Senior State Advocate Terrence Zitha presented compelling evidence that established the accused’s participation in this white-collar crime.

She added; “Advocate Zitha argued for a stringent sentence, stating that a strong example should be set to discourage similar conduct in the future.

“In delivering the sentence, the court acknowledged Beck’s previously exceptional service record within the SAPS but emphasised that his criminal actions were motivated by greed.

ALSO READ | Inmate ‘mysteriously’ escape from Boksburg prison

“The court concluded that he should be punished accordingly for his betrayal of the trust placed in him as a public servant.

“This conviction underlines the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) ongoing commitment to combating corruption at all levels of society and reinforcing the importance of accountability in public service.”