The National Commissioner of Police, General Khehla John Sitole is appalled at the 17 police officers attached to the East London Port Of Entry who were arrested on allegations of fraud and corruption.
The 17 members, aged between 30 and 55 years, had to hand themselves over to investigators at the Anti-Corruption Unit offices in East London this morning.
The Provincial Detective’s Anti-Corruption Unit instituted a probe prompted by intelligence and information on allegations of corruption against the members; two Captains – Melanie Zanda Ryllyn and Nomzamo Badli, Constables – Likhaya Ngcobondwana, Lulama Princess Lusiti, Tiso Monde, Zingisile Booi, Lindelwa Nkolose, Aphiwe Mangesi, Tabang Moletsana, Siphokazi Loliwe, Andile Sibawu, Bongani Valisi, Edgar Ndlovu, Sithembiso Kofi, Xolisa Lawana, Monde Tyali and Justice Njokweni.
The accused are alleged to have defrauded the state of an estimated amount of R100 000.
Their alleged fraudulent transactions occurred when they were deployed on police operations in Aliwal North during the festive season between December 2016 and January 2017. They are alleged to have inflated invoices for accommodation on which they made claims to the South African Police Service.
The arrest of these police officers is in line with National Commissioner’s deliverable on stamping the Authority of the State. Part of the efforts of stamping the Authority of the State is to also root out corruption within the SAPS. The anti-corruption strategy of the South African Police Service will continue to ensure that we have a clean, effective and efficient Service. Therefore, any form of corruption and/or criminality by any member of the South African Police Service will neither be tolerated nor condoned.
“While I am appalled at the news that 17 of our members have been involved in alleged corrupt activities, I am equally elated that they are being brought to book. I am also elated at the fact that majority of our other members of the SAPS are hardworking, dedicated and loyal servants of our organisation”, said General Sitole.
“This is also evident in the efforts by the anti-corruption team that has worked tirelessly in identifying, investigating and bringing to book their very own colleagues”, added General Sitole.
The accused have appeared at the East London Magistrate Court today and they were released on bail of R1 000 each. The case has been remanded to 22 May 2018.