The SAPS anti-corruption unit has arrested a senior officer accused of manipulating internal financial systems to withdraw large cash sums.
Image: File
A SAPS Captain who was arrested for allegedly manipulating his access to the police finance system to withdraw millions of Rand is set to appear at the Pretoria North High Court on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old attached to the Protection and Security Service (PSS) faces a charge of fraud.
He was arrested on Monday, April 6, by the SAPS anti-corruption unit.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the arrest stems from an internal investigation sanctioned by the Division: Financial Management Services after suspicious transactions were detected on the Polfin system.
Mathe said National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has welcomed the arrest.
"Any member found to be engaging in corrupt activities will face the full might of the law.”
“There will be no exceptions, and no compromise. Accountability is not optional; it is a fundamental pillar of our service", Masemola added.
The officer had previously been suspended following an internal investigation that uncovered discrepancies and suspicious transactions within the division on April 1.
Mathe said the member, who works in the finance section of the PSS, allegedly manipulated the system to withdraw large sums of cash.
“An investigation has uncovered that he manipulated the system to book out cash for himself under the disguise that the money was meant for travelling expenses for close protectors attached to the Presidential Protection Services (PPS).”
Further investigations revealed that the money was not received by the close protectors but was instead withdrawn in lump sum cash amounts by the member.
“Following a lengthy investigation, a case of fraud was registered at the Sunnyside police station and an internal departmental investigation has led to his suspension.”
Masemola previously praised the Financial Management Division for identifying and addressing criminality within the ranks and assigned the SAPS anti-corruption unit to investigate the matter.
“The SAPS takes this opportunity to assure the nation that it has stringent measures in place to ensure taxpayers monies are utilized in service to the nation and that the SAPS will not tolerate fraud and corruption within its rank.”
“No close protector attached to the President, Deputy President, Ministers or Deputy Ministers are implicated in this case.”
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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