It now appears that the arrest of the local top cop was just the tip of the iceberg.More than five people, including members of the SAPS, have already been arrested during raids in Eldorado Park, Orlando, Soshanguvhe, Mokopane (Limpopo) and the Tshwane Police Academy, and more arrests are expected soon.National police spokesperson Lieut Solomon Makgale said the suspects form part of a syndicate flaunting the SAPS recruitment processes.“They allegedly abused their positions of authority to enrich themselves, by accepting money and other valuables from members of the public who wanted to join the SAPS,” said Makgale.Makgale added that the syndicate members would personally accept money or use agents to accept money from the victims.“The victims would either pay personally or use the money market at Checkers/Shoprite and, in other instances, the amounts involved, sometimes thousands of rand, would be paid in cash or in instalments,” he explained.“Other valuables used as payment included livestock.”Those arrested from within police ranks are a colonel from Eldorado Park, a warrant officer who is an instructor at the Tshwane Police Academy and a sergeant from Kliptown.The other two suspects are members of the public, one of whom is from the led by Police Station’s Community Policing Forum.National police commissioner Gen Riah Phiyega has set up a special task team, led by Major Gen Theko Pharasi, to investigate corruption in the recruitment process.Investigations are continuing and more members of the SAPS will be arrested.Police believe there are still members of the public or even employees of the SAPS who are victims of this recruiting scam.Anyone with information in this regard may contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111, at all hours.Information will be treated confidentially.Phiyega congratulated the Gauteng provincial commissioner, Gen Lesetja Mothiba, on the sterling work he has done in guiding the investigation team.She further praised the investigation team for their swift action and dedication to their work.“As a leadership team, we are serious about removing corrupt elements within the SAPS,” Phiyega said.“Difficult as it may be, we will not hesitate to arrest our own members.“We will make available the necessary resources to the team to get to the bottom of the allegations.“All identified members in the recruitment scandal will be arrested and will also have disciplinary action taken against them.“We urge members of the community and those in the police with any information to come forward, in order for us to rid the police of criminal elements.”All those who have been arrested will face corruption, money laundering and racketeering charges.
Posted on: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 10:01:20 +0000
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