A senior police officer who recently testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is expected to appear in the Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday following his arrest.
Police conducted a raid at his Pretoria residence last Thursday, where firearms and ammunition were discovered. The officer has since spent the Easter long weekend in custody.
Several witnesses at the commission previously described the officer as a middleman for high-ranking members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), allegedly facilitating dealings with suspected criminal figures Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso “KT” Molefe.
He has also been linked to alleged tender manipulation within the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said National Commissioner Fannie Masemola has welcomed the arrest, emphasising that corruption within the service will not be tolerated.
“Any member found engaging in corrupt activities will face the full might of the law. There will be no exceptions nor compromise. Accountability is not optional; it is a fundamental pillar of our service,” Mathe said.
In a separate development, a police captain attached to Protection Security Services has been suspended following an internal investigation into alleged financial misconduct.
The officer, who worked in the division’s finance section, is accused of using his access to internal systems to withdraw funds amounting to millions of rand. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.