Proof of the unfortunate reality of the crime SA scenario, proving again that one can't simply trust everyone in a police uniform.

A police captain attached to the Hawks will remain in custody following her first appearance in the Cape Town District Court on Monday, for allegedly selling unlicensed ammunition while on stress leave.

Esmerald Bailey, 43, appeared before Magistrate Eric Louw, who ordered that she remain in custody for a week while police checked her background.

Bailey, 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, was arrested on Friday.

She appeared with co-accused Waleed Hendricks, 25. Both will appear in court again on December 19, when they are expected to launch a joint bail application.

According to the Hawks, an operation was authorised on suspicion that Bailey was involved in the illegal sale of police uniforms and ammunition.

In the course of the investigation, Hendricks allegedly supplied an under-cover police agent with a small quantity of ammunition in a parking area for R4000.

Hendricks was arrested after receiving the money. He took the investigation team to Bailey's home at the Palm Springs apartment complex in Brooklyn.

In that apartment, police found more illegal police ammunition, as well as missing forensic bags containing exhibits that were to be used in different criminal cases and police documents.

Bailey had been on stress leave for the last three years.

Sapa