Ex-cop says he locked K46,500 in safe before his suspension

A FORMER senior police officer has told a court that he had locked K46,500 in a safe in his office before he was suspended four years ago.
Former assistant commissioner of police Sylvester Kalaut was giving evidence yesterday in the 2017 case involving National Capital District election manager Terence Hetinu and former electoral commissioner Patilias Gamato before Justice Teresa Berrigan in the National Court. Kalaut questioned by the state prosecutor in relation to the K184,300 found in the possession of Hetinu during the 2017 national election.
Kalaut said on the morning of June 27, 2017, he received a police radio alert that Hetinu was carrying a large amount of cash and allegedly bribing polling officials to support a particular candidate for the NCD regional seat.
Hetinu and Gamato are charged with corruption and conspiracy to defraud.
He said Hetinu was taken to his office at the Boroko Police Station.
“Officers searched his vehicle and found the money and documents,” he said.
“I was there when the money was counted.
“It was around K184,000.
“The money were given to the former administration clerk Agnes Jimu to store in the exhibit safe in my office.”
But at 5.30pm that day, he was told that his office was on fire.
Jimu called him later to say that she had kept K46,500 of the money.
“We retrieved the money and locked it in the office that I was transferred to – ACP Human Resources.
“I was suspended (after that) and (had no) access (to the safe) up to today.
“That money was part of the K184,000 cash that was found in Hetinu’s possession.”
He said the documents found with the money were “some kind of a contract from an intending candidate but were unsigned”.
Sergeant Vincent Tapunga and Chief Sergeant Mick Imara of the forensic unit also gave evidence.