The South African Police Service (Saps) has suspended a captain attached to the presidential protection service (PPS). An internal investigation in the division uncovered discrepancies and suspicious transactions.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the captain works in the PSS finance section. He allegedly used his access to the system to withdraw money running into millions.
Captain faces suspension after allegedly manipulating finance systems
“An investigation has uncovered that he manipulated the system to book out cash for himself under the guise that the money was meant for travelling expenses for close protectors attached to the PPS,” she said.
Police investigated further and found that the PPS close protectors never received the money. Instead, the captain withdrew it in lump-sum cash amounts.
After a lengthy investigation, the Sunnyside police station filed a fraud case. An internal departmental investigation also resulted in his suspension.
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Mathe said the national commissioner of Saps, General Fannie Masemola, applauded the Saps financial management division. He said they identified and rooted out criminality in the police ranks.
Masemola has assigned the Saps anti-corruption unit to investigate the matter.
Anti-corruption unit investigating
“The Saps takes this opportunity to assure the nation that it has stringent measures in place to ensure taxpayers’ money is utilised in service to the nation and that SAPS will not tolerate fraud and corruption within its ranks,” Mathe said.
Police emphasised that no close protectors assigned to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, ministers, or deputy ministers are implicated.
