A police captain (53) has been arrested for allegedly defrauding the South African Police Service of millions of rands by manipulating the finance system to withdraw cash under false pretences.

The captain, who works in the finance section of the Protection and Security Services (PSS), was arrested on Sunday 6 April by the SAPS anti-corruption unit following an internal investigation that uncovered suspicious transactions on the Polfin system.

The investigation revealed that the captain allegedly used his access to the finance system to book out large cash amounts, claiming the money was for travelling expenses for close protectors attached to the Presidential Protection Services (PPS). However, investigators discovered that the funds were never received by the close protectors and were instead withdrawn as lump sum cash amounts by the member himself.

The captain was suspended on 1 April after the Financial Management Services Division identified discrepancies in the system. A case of fraud was subsequently registered at Sunnyside police station.

National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola welcomed the arrest, stating: “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.”

SAPS has also assured the public that stringent measures are in place to ensure taxpayers’ money is utilised in service to the nation. No close protectors attached to the president, deputy president, ministers or deputy ministers are implicated in the case.

The captain is scheduled to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today 7 April, on a charge of fraud.

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