9 cops among 15 held over fraud

Nine police officers, including a former lieutenant-general, and six civilians are expected to appear in various courts for allegedly defrauding the SA Police Service (Saps) in an alleged vehicle scam involving police vehicle branding.

The anticorruption unit arrested the 15 people at their homes yesterday.

The officers were employed in areas involving supply chain management, procurement, vehicle and tactical equipment, mechanical services and fleet management. One is a station commander in KwaZulu-Natal.

The civilians were linked to companies that allegedly irregularly benefitted from the fraud.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said the arrests were made after warrants for their arrest were issued.

The 15 people are expected to face multiple charges, including fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering.

Naidoo said national police commissioner General Khehla Sitole established a special anticorruption task team, led by Brigadier Tony Perumal, following serious allegations of corruption and related crimes which date back to 2017.

“During these investigations, nine members of the Saps, including senior officers, private company directors and employees, are alleged to have been involved in an elaborate act to defraud the state,” said Naidoo.

A 10th officer, a lieutenant-colonel, has not yet been arrested.

Sitole praised the task team: “I am confident that the cases against the arrested suspects are watertight.” –News24 Wire