Centurion attorney hands himself over in police vehicle-branding fraud case

A Centurion attorney was expected to appear in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Wednesday in connection with an R85-million police vehicle-branding fraud case.

The 32-year-old attorney, who was the 72nd suspect to be arrested in regards to the case, handed himself over to the anti-corruption task team on Tuesday.

“He is alleged to have received more than R900 000 from one of the [fraud case] accused on the day the said accused was arrested,” said national police spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo.

Investigations into fraud and corruption related to the branding of SAPS vehicles, procurement of handcuffs, leg irons, outsourcing of vehicles from the SAPS garages, procurement of stationery and renovation of buildings began in 2018.

The investigations saw the arrest of 71 accused including very high-ranking police officers, businessmen and women.

“Almost every one of the SAPS employees allegedly involved in these cases has since been dismissed from the service,” Naidoo said.

He said the arrest of the attorney, brought the total arrests to 72 suspects accused thus far.

The attorney was expected to formally apply for bail.

“More arrests in connection with the cases cannot be ruled out at this stage,” Naidoo said.

High-ranking police officers and other individuals were arrested in September last year.

Their case was then postponed to 25 March, for further investigation.

The attorney’s identity may not be published until he has appeared in court.