On the morning of 1 December 2020, the South African Police Service Management dismissed seven members which included two senior managers at the level of Brigadier, two Colonels, a Lieutenant Colonel and two civilian employees following their alleged involvement in corrupt activities.
The officers and civilian employees dismissed are:
Brigadier Jabez Naidoo (49) (Station Commander: Point Police Station (KZN) and Former SCM Head, Western Cape);
Brigadier Lesetja David Mogotlane (57) (Section Head: Mechanical Services);
Colonel Thomas Dumisani Marima (50) (Section Commander: Vehicles and Tactical Equipment),
Lieutenant Colonel Veeran Naipal (47) (Vehicle Support: Pretoria Central Garage),
Lieutenant Colonel Alpheus Nkosibanke Makhetha (46) (Technical Expert: Vehicle Fleet),
Admin Clerk Jacoba Magadela Havenga (49) (Chief Prov Clerk: New Vehicle Store, WC),
PAC Marcell Duan Marney (33) (Chief Provisioning Clerk to Brigadier Ramanjalum) had a sanction of dismissal imposed on them.
The seven members were part of 16 suspects initially arrested on 4 June 2020 during a predawn operation. They were arrested by an Anti-corruption Task team which was set up in 2017 by the National Commissioner General Khehla John Sitole.
Among the 16 arrested were a former Lieutenant General of the South African Police Service, three Brigadiers, Colonels, civilian employees and six private citizens on multiple charges which included Fraud, Corruption, Theft and Money Laundering.
Although the accused in this matter are currently subjected to criminal prosecution, these seven have been tried departmentally, found guilty and subsequently dismissed.
The National Commissioner has reiterated the position of police management to root out corruption from within the SAPS, “irrespective of the rank or position a member holds within the Service”.
“I continue to urge members to desist from any form of criminality or corruption as such actions will do nothing more than bring an abrupt end to one’s freedom and career”, added General Sitole.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
