Ex-Hawks captain who sold police uniforms and dockets found guilty

Former officer Esmeralda Bailey has been found guilty on charges including from corruption, possession of drugs, obstruction of justice and loss of firearm.

Former officer Esmeralda Bailey has been found guilty on charges including from corruption, possession of drugs, obstruction of justice and loss of firearm.

Published Nov 22, 2023

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The Bellville Serious Commercial Crimes Court convicted a former Hawks captain who among other things sold police uniforms and stole dockets.

Esmeralda Bailey was found guilty on Tuesday for charges including corruption, possession of drugs, obstruction of justice and loss of firearm.

The 55-year-old is currently out on bail.

“It is reported that Esmeralda Bailey, 55, was arrested by the Serious Corruption Investigation team in 2011 and charged after she stole an exhibit firearm, sold a docket, stole a cellphone from a crime scene as well as sold a set of police uniforms. Her conviction follows after numerous court appearances. Her bail has been extended,” said Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani.

The matter has been postponed to November 24 for pre-sentencing.

The court heard in 2012 that Bailey was allegedly caught in a police trap illegally selling police uniforms, firearms and ammunition.

She allegedly sold a tog bag containing a police cap and a reflector jacket, a pair of police socks, a police shirt, two pairs of police trousers and ammunition.

The ex-cop is alleged to have received a R4 500 gratification and Hawks members had found missing police dockets, court exhibits and other items at her flat.

She is also alleged to have obtained a cellphone that was an exhibit in a Grassy Park case, on the false pretence that she would download information from the cellphone.

Bailey is known for her investigation that led to Dina Rodrigues being sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of baby Jordan Leigh Norton in June 2005.

Cape Times