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Two Gauteng police station commanders, both with the rank of brigadier, were arrested for fraud and corruption related to multiple files on Tuesday.
The couple were arrested during an intelligence operation by the Western Cape anti-gang unit assisted by the national anti-corruption unit, according to national spokesman for Police Commissioner Brig Vishnu Naidoo.
He said the charges were related to applications for firearms licenses.
“The brigadistas have been arrested for their alleged participation in fraud, defeating the administration of justice and contravention of the Firearms Control Law (Law 60/2000) in multiple case files in the areas of Edenvale, Kempton Park and Norwood in Gauteng, “Naidoo said.
The couple’s arrest brings the number of people arrested in connection to these cases to 28 after 26 were arrested earlier this year. Of the 28 suspects, 17 are police officers (two are retired) and 11 are civilians, according to Naidoo.
Naidoo said the investigation began three years ago.
“During November 2017, security companies were involved in extortion crimes in the Western Cape related to firearms applications in Gauteng. In January 2018 it was found that several other individuals, family and friends in Cape Town obtained their competence and license to possess a firearm, as well as a temporary authorization to possess a firearm in an allegedly fraudulent manner, ”he said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that all applicants filed in Gauteng, specifically Edenvale, Norwood and Kempton Park Police Stations.
The applicants would allegedly go to a gun store in Kempton Park, where they would take a proficiency test to submit a proficiency application to possess a firearm and ammunition.
The national police commissioner, General Khehla John Sitole, applauded the team for the arrests.
“We are systematically identifying and eradicating corruption and corrupt SAPS members. The most effective way to deal with corruption is to prevent it and to do so, I again urge both SAPS members and the wider community to refrain from participating in such activities, because they will get caught, ”said Sitole.
The brigadiers were expected to appear in Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
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