The Kimberley Regional Court has convicted retired Major General Advocate Thuto Gaogakwe Phefo (62) for corruption under the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act. The charges date back to August 2017 when Phefo, then serving in the South African Police Service (SAPS), was accused of soliciting a bribe from a Brigadier candidate.

The complainant, a former SAPS employee, was shortlisted for a Brigadier post and alleged that Phefo offered her a document containing interview questions in exchange for R70,000. She paid him R48,000 before an entrapment operation led to his arrest on August 13, 2017, after receiving the remaining R22,000.

Phefo appeared in court 48 times before his conviction. His bail was revoked, and he remains in custody pending sentencing on October 18, 2024. The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lt Gen (Dr/Adv) Godfrey Lebeya, praised the investigation and prosecution teams for their dedication in securing the conviction.