Seven SAPS detectives arrested for alleged travel fraud
Seven detectives from the south African Police Force (SAPS) stationed at Rabie Ridge and Benoni police stations were arrested in connection with alleged fraud estimated at R50 000.
Police spokesperson Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu says the arrests come after an intelligence driven operation by the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation team.
"It is alleged that the suspects submitted fraudulent travelling claims for trips to KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga respectively between March 2014 and March 2015. The state suffered a loss of an estimated R50 000 due to fraudulent claims processed," says Mulamu.
Maluma says an eighth suspect fled in his private vehicle after noticing the Hawks' vehicles approaching Tembisa south police station.
"The Hawks are hot on his heels," says Mulamu.
The Hawks' Provincial Head, Major General Prince Mokotedi, says the crime was appalling and could not be ignored.
"We are serious about uprooting corruption and all forms of criminality within our ranks as we are equally determined to strengthen integrity in the service," says Mokotedi.
The seven suspect appeared briefly before the Kempton Park Magistrates Court for fraud and defeating the ends of justice.
The case was postponed to 13 March 2017 for further investigation.
The suspects were all released on a warning with conditions that they must not interfere with state witnesses.