police illicit cigarettes

Three police officers were arrested for allegedly stealing illicit cigarettes they had confiscated. Image: SAPS.

Two police Major Generals, a Lt.-General to appear for tender fraud

The top police officials are to appear in court on Wednesday for theft and corruption for a multimillion rand tender.

police illicit cigarettes

Three police officers were arrested for allegedly stealing illicit cigarettes they had confiscated. Image: SAPS.

Two police Major Generals, a Lieutenant-General and a former top cop in the police are among six arrested this week for tender fraud.

CURRENT MAJOR GENERALS AND FORMER LIEUTENANT IN TENDER SCANDAL

Between Monday and Tuesday, six people were arrested in connection with a multimillion tender.

The tender is from 2016 and is valued at more than R54 million. National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigating Directorate (ID) spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka said the suspects were arrested in various places. This includes Durban, Bloemfontein and various areas around Pretoria.

“Two were arrested as they were boarding domestic flights from OR Tambo International Airport to Cape Town and Durban respectively.”

Sindisiwe Seboka

The arrests come after joint stakeholder cooperation between the Investigating Directorate and Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), as assigned to the ID.

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police
Top police officials are among six suspects arrested for tender fraud and theft. PHOTO: www.saps.gov.za

TOP POLICE OFFICIALS AMONG THOSE ARRESTED

The six arrested include two businessmen based in Durban. A former police Lieutenant-General, a current serving Lieutenant-General and two Major-Generals from Pretoria and Bloemfontein are among the suspects.

“They are to appear at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday, 21 September 2022 on charges of fraud, corruption and theft,” Seboka said.

HAWKS GO AFTER CORRUPT POLICE OFFICER

Meanwhile, the Durban-based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit arrested a Warrant Officer for corruption last week.

The 55-year-old officer was arrested in the uMsinga area last Wednesday, said Hawks spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo.

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The officer, who is stationed at the uMsinga police station, attended a collision between a truck at a bakkie in the same area.

“After the attendance, he allegedly phoned the truck owner and requested R7 000 for the repairs of the bakkie. Cash was allegedly deposited into his bank account and he never paid the driver of the bakkie,” Mhlongo said.

A case of corruption was reported at uMsinga police station and the docket was transferred to the Hawks for further investigation.