Mossel Bay cop innie hof

A MOSSEL Bay police officer has been released on R3 000 bail while she faces a mountain of charges related to fraud, corruption, and defeating the administration of justice. 

Lauriane Botha was granted bail by the George Specialised Crimes Court with conditions following her court appearance on charges of corruption, intimidation, and defeating the administration of justice.

NPA spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed that Botha was charged and summoned to appear before the court in Great Brak River, facing 323 counts of fraud.

Ntabazalila said: “At her first appearance on October 28, 2025, she was absent from court due to illness. The matter was postponed for her presence and representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The State alleges that shortly before her appearance in January 2026, she located the complainant in the fraud matter and attempted to persuade him to withdraw the charges against her. 

“She promised the complainant items she would purchase and also threatened him with imprisonment. At the time of doing this, she was in full police uniform and using a police vehicle”.

Before February 10, 2026, Botha allegedly sent the investigating officer a text message claiming the complainant wanted to withdraw charges against her, which prompted an investigation.

“The investigation led to her arrests and a first court appearance at the Mossel Bay Magistrate’s Court (on) February 23. The court set her bail at R3000 with conditions that she must not be in contact with State witnesses,” said Ntabazalila.

Botha’s case has been postponed to Friday where the fraud and the latest cases will be joined.