The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa today announced that a comprehensive forensic investigation will be conducted within the South African Police Service (SAPS) Service Termination environment.
This section is responsible for processing and payment of service termination benefits of former employees of the SAPS, those employed under the SAPS Act as well as the Public Service Act. The section has a mandate to ensure that such payments are processed timeously, efficiently and in most instances, deals directly with the widows and widowers of the former employees. It is therefore one of the essential sections within the SAPS.
The Minister’s announcement follows the arrest of four suspects, namely Ms Eunice Sifunda, Ms Daphney Mdluli, Ms Nomcebo Sono and Ms Agnes Nkuna. The latter is an employee of the SAPS, attached to the Service Termination section. All suspects were arrested this month in relation to alleged service payout fraud, corruption and appeared in court last week.
The arrests came as a result of Mr Kgolagano Mompati, son of the late Warrant Officer Rankwane Mompati opening a case of fraud in Pretoria last month. The case was then handed over to the Hawks for investigation.
The suspects are accused of amongst others organising clients (false dependents or beneficiaries) and completing false documents such as a proof of relationship. This would lead to legitimate beneficiaries not receiving monies due to them and the sums being fraudulently deposited to the suspects’ accounts.
“It would appear the arrest of these suspects is a tip of the iceberg. It seems there is a serious syndicate that may involve more SAPS employees and other external people. What is more perturbing is the fact that one of the suspects is our own employee; someone who is entrusted with ensuring that the families of the deceased receive what is rightfully due to them. We will ensure that we get to the bottom of this rot and anyone who may be involved must face the full might of the law,” stated Minister Mthethwa.
“Whilst we have many hardworking and dedicated employees within SAPS, we cannot allow a few individuals to tarnish the department’s name. We cannot have criminals disguised as employees swindling deserving beneficiaries. For this reason I have instructed the police management to institute a comprehensive forensic investigation within the environment of service terminations,” added the Minister.
When the afore-mentioned employee was arrested, she was on vacation leave and therefore her vacation leave has been converted to leave without pay for the period that she is in custody. While the criminal proceedings are underway, the employee was served with intended suspension on 19 December 2013.
According to the Hawks, this is a syndicate and more charges may be added later as the investigation progresses.
For enquiries, please contact:
Zweli Mnisi, Spokesperson to the Minister of Police
Cell: 082 045 4024
