Free
State police officers arrested for fraud and corruption
By Tmg Digital | Feb 01, 2017
Six police officers‚ two of them senior officers‚ have been arrested
by the Hawks in the Free State for allegedly submitting fake claims and
requesting cash advances amounting to more than R5.2 million using the personal
details of other senior colleagues.
The officers‚ who face fraud‚
corruption and theft charges‚ were arrested during a successful takedown operation
following the conclusion of a major investigation‚ according to Hawks spokesman
Captain Philani Nkwalase.
They include a lieutenant-colonel
working at Provincial Vispol and another lieutenant-colonel working at Public
Order Police (POP)‚ both of whom are 48 years old. Three constables attached to
the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and a finance administration clerk attached to
the provincial finance office were also apprehended.
More arrests were expected as the
investigation continued‚ Nkwalase said.
“Hawks investigations ensued in
September 2016 soon after it was established that some units’ budgets were
depleted yet unaccounted for. Further investigations revealed that personal
particulars of other senior colleagues were used to submit fictitious
application requesting cash advances and claims that varied from meals‚ accommodation
costs and other assortment of claims.
“The alleged fraudulent transactions
were committed between April 2015 and September 2016‚ worth a total of more
than R5.2 million. All six suspects are expected to appear before the
Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday‚ 1 February 2017‚” Nkwalase said.
National Head of the Directorate for
Priority Crime Investigation Lieutenant-General Berning Ntlemeza has applauded
the Hawks members for “unearthing corruption and dealing with corrupt officials
accordingly”.
“We continually say corruption will
not be tolerated‚ even within our ranks. We are mandated to curb all corrupt
activities and we will do that without fear or favour. These arrests should
serve as a deterrent to other police officers and civil servants alike that the
Hawks will stop at nothing in investigating corrupt activities and ensuring
that those implicated face the wrath of the law.”
