In efforts to clean up corruption in the SAPS’ selection processes, the national police commissioner, Gen Riah Phiyega, has set up a special task team to investigate corruption in the SAPS recruitment process.
This is after corruption, money laundering, racketeering and other cases of wrongdoing has been uncovered at different SAPS offices in Gauteng and one in Limpopo.
Under the leadership of Major-Gen Theko Pharasi, the team has already arrested five allegedly corrupt police officials and other members of the public, who broke the rules for bribes, in Gauteng and Limpopo.
According to a police spokesperson, Lieut-Col Lungelo Dlamini, the suspects were arrested during raids conducted in Eldorado Park, Orlando, Soshanguve, Mokopane (Limpopo) and the Tshwane Police Academy.
They were charged with corruption, money laundering and racketeering, and have already appeared in the Protea Magistrates’ Court on June 17.
Those arrested from within police ranks are a colonel from Eldorado Park, a warrant officer who is an instructor at the Tshwane Police Academy and a sergeant from Kliptown.
The other two suspects are members of the public, one of whom is from the Rietgat police station’s CPF.
“These arrests are the second phase of the investigation. The team initially focused on Gauteng province and they will now extend their investigations to other provinces,” explains Dlamini.
In October last year, six suspects were also arrested. They were civilian employees of the SAPS.
Dlamini says criminal proceedings against them are continuing at the Protea Regional Court. Their next court appearance is on September 16.
“The suspects form part of a syndicate and they allegedly abused their positions of authority to enrich themselves by accepting money and other valuables from members of the public who wanted to join the SAPS.
“The syndicate members would personally accept money or use agents to accept money from the victims. The victims would either pay personally or use the money market at Checkers/Shoprite. In other instances the amounts involved, sometimes thousands of rand, would be paid in cash or in instalments.
“Other valuables used as payment included live stock,” explains Dlamini.
Investigations are still continuing and the SAPS anticipates that more members of the SAPS will be arrested.
Police believe that there are still members of the public or even employees of the South African Police Service who are victims of this recruiting scam.
Anyone with information in this regard may contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 at all hours. Information will be treated confidentially.
Gen Phiyega congratulates the Gauteng Provincial commissioner, Gen Lesetja Mothiba, for the sterling work he had done in guiding the investigation team.
She further praises the investigation team for their swift action and dedication to their work.
“As a leadership team, we are serious about removing corrupt elements within the SAPS. Difficult as it may be, we will not hesitate to arrest our own members.
“We will avail the necessary resources to the team to get to the bottom of the allegations. All identified members in the recruitment scandal will be arrested and will also have disciplinary action taken against them.
“We urge members of the community and those in the police with any information to come forward in order for us to rid the police of criminal elements,” concludes Phiyega.
– @FanieBoksburg
i think SAPS should forcus more to orphan’s because their are lot of them with no job thats the reason why most of them end up in jail so my question is that,why can’t you guys try to open and oppotunity for them to join SAPS?