Daily Archives: April 7, 2026

Captain suspended after defrauding SAPS millions of rands

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

7 April 2026 – The South African Police Service (SAPS) anti-corruption unit has arrested a police captain (53) for fraud. His arrest emanates from an internal investigation sanctioned by the Division: Financial Management Services, following suspicious transactions on the Polfin system.

The captain is set to appear at Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 7 April 2026, on a charge of fraud. The national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the captain was attached to the Protection Security Services (PSS). Mathe said the internal investigation uncovered discrepancies and suspicious transactions within the division.

“The member is attached to the finance section of the Protection and Security Service (PSS) and allegedly used his access to the finance system to withdraw monies running into millions.

“An investigation has uncovered that he manipulated the system to book out cash for himself under the disguise that the money was meant for travelling expenses for close protectors attached to the Presidential Protection Services (PPS),” she said.

Mathe further said investigations uncovered that the money was not received by the close protectors, but booked out in lump sum cash amounts by the member. She added that following a lengthy investigation, a case of fraud was registered at the Sunnyside Police Station and an internal departmental investigation has led to his suspension.

Meanwhile, the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, applauded the Financial Management Division for identifying and uprooting criminality within their ranks and has assigned the SAPS anti-corruption unit to investigate the matter. Masemola said the SAPS takes this opportunity to assure the nation that it has stringent measures in place to ensure taxpayers monies are utilised in service to the nation and that the SAPS will not tolerate fraud and corruption within its rank.

“No close protector attached to the President, Deputy President, Ministers or Deputy Ministers are implicated in this case,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmai.com

A search conducted over a missing chopper

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Picture: The police conduct a search amid missing chopper/Generic

By STAFF REPORTER

7 April 2026 – A search has been sanctioned after a chopper/helicopter went missing inside the Kruger National Park with four occupants. The chopper disappeared on 6 April 2026, during an investigation after a report was brought to the attention of law enforcers that there was a carcass that was discovered hence the probe to find out circumstances thereof.

The national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the aircraft, which was on this routine operation, had on board a pilot and two SAPS investigators as well as an Environmental Crime Investigator. Mathe said a report indicates that the team departed in the morning around 9am and did not return as anticipated.

“Some efforts to establish communication with the helicopter crew yielded no results due to poor signal and it is suspected that the chopper could have been flying low.

“All attempts to reach them via their mobile phones and other means were unsuccessful. It was only in the evening that it was realised that something was wrong, prompting immediate action to locate them,” she said.

Mathe further said in response to the situation, another helicopter equipped with night vision capabilities, alongside drones, was swiftly deployed to assist in the search efforts. She added that, unfortunately due to poor weather conditions, the helicopter had to be withdrawn.

“However, the drones continued their search throughout the night, said Mathe.

Meanwhile, the acting Mpumalanga Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, remarked that the committed members were carrying out their duties even on a day that is recognised as a holiday in the country.

“We are committed to leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to locate the missing members. This morning, Tuesday, we aim to resume search operations with an expanded resource base, which includes the deployment of additional helicopters and personnel dedicated to this crucial mission.

“We will continue to search tirelessly until we find our colleagues, remaining hopeful for their safe return,” he said.

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