Media Statement
South African Police Service
Office of the Provincial Commissioner Eastern Cape

EASTERN CAPE - The Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit is investigating a case of corruption, fraud and uttering following the arrest of two SAPS members (Constable and Administrative Clerk) and three civilians aged between 24 and 50 at Mthatha on Thursday 12 September 2024.

An intelligence led operation comprising of the Anti-Corruption Team, members attached to POP, and Provincial Counter intelligence acted on information about the Administrative Clerk allegedly working with the civilians in assisting the public on certifying the documents. According to the information, the civilians will solicit money from desperate members of the public by approaching them for certifying their documents without standing on the queue. The documents will be then taken to the Administrative Clerk for certification, and the member of the public should pay an undisclosed amount of cash.

In an unrelated incident, a 32-year-old Constable was arrested after a lengthy investigation about a fake sick certificate he submitted in 2023 and 2024. Upon investigation, the information reveals that the doctor that the Constable claims he examined him was not practicing in Mthatha she left in January 2021.

The four suspects appeared at Mthatha Magistrate Court on Friday 13 September 2024, and were remanded in custody while the suspect (Constable) was released on R1000.00 bail. The four suspects will appear again on 20 September 2024, and the other suspect (Constable) will reappear on 27 September 2024 for trial.

The investigation is still in progress, and more arrests are imminent.

The Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, strongly condemns the acts of corruption within the officials, who are entrusted in a position of authority and to serve the public. “The South African Police Service is serious about rooting-out corruption, including among its ranks. We want to ensure the public that all the services in our organization are free, including the certifying of documents and are accessible to anyone, "she added.

Ends

Enquiries:
Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa
071 366 1907

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