R900k corruption: Hawks and SAPS officers arrested in major theft case
In a major anti-corruption operation, the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team has arrested four Gauteng SAPS officers and two civilians for allegedly stealing R900,000 from a shop. They are expected to appear at Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court today.
Six suspects, including four police officials attached to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit and the Gauteng Provincial SAPS, were arrested this week on charges of theft, fraud, extortion, and corruption.
This is after a large sum of money allegedly vanished during a police operation in Johannesburg.
The arrests, confirmed by the South African Government News Agency, followed a complaint lodged by a local businessman who claimed that R900 000 was taken from his shop during a police visit.
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According to the complainant, one of his employees had phoned him to report that police officers were at the premises.
However, by the time the shop owner arrived, the store was closed and the employee – along with others – had been arrested.
He then went to Johannesburg Central Police Station, where he was told his staff had been detained for contravening Section 9 of the Currency and Exchanges Act.
The employee he had spoken to earlier was also charged with interfering with police duties.
Suspecting wrongdoing, the businessman reported the matter to the SCI.
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The subsequent investigation uncovered serious discrepancies. While US$60 000 (over R1m) and R130 000 had been booked into the SAPS register, it was alleged that R900 000 had been taken from the shop.
The suspect allegedly involved in the currency exchange also attempted to bribe police officers with R60 000 – an amount which was booked into the register.
The SCI team followed up on leads that eventually took them to Newtown, where the four implicated officers and two civilians were located.
Upon searching their vehicles, a significant amount of unaccounted cash was found. All six were arrested on the scene. The suspects appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, six other individuals arrested during the initial operation are also facing charges for contravening currency laws and are expected to appear in court on the same day.
Lieutenant General Siphosihle Nkosi, acting national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, welcomed the arrests.
“The Hawks remain resolute in their commitment to uproot corruption, even within the ranks of law enforcement. No one is above the law.
“These arrests send a strong message that we will act decisively and without fear or favour to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system.”
The investigation is ongoing.
