The member allegedly abused his access to the financial system to withdraw sums of money, amounting to millions of rand. (Photo: ChatGPT)
A 53-year-old captain is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday after he allegedly defrauded the South African Police Service (SAPD) out of millions of rands.
According to Brig. Athlenda Mathe, police spokesperson, says the captain’s arrest stems from an internal investigation following suspicious transactions on the police’s financial system.
General Fannie Masemola, the national police commissioner, welcomed the arrest.
“Any member involved in corrupt activities will face the full force of the law. There will be no exceptions,” Masemola said.
The captain, attached to the financial department of the protection and security services, was earlier suspended after an internal investigation exposed major financial irregularities and suspicious transactions of millions of rands.
“The member allegedly abused his access to the financial system to withdraw sums of money, amounting to millions of rand,” says Mathe.
The investigation showed that the captain manipulated the system by setting aside cash for himself under the pretext that the money was meant for travel expenses of close protectors of the presidential protection services.
“However, the auditors found that the bodyguards in question never asked for or received this money, but that it was set aside in large cash amounts by the member himself,” adds Mathe.
After an extensive investigation, a criminal case of fraud was filed at the Sunnyside police station, while the internal departmental investigation led to the member’s suspension.
Masemola immediately appointed a specialized unit to investigate the matter further.