The South African Police Service personnel in the Namakwa region has find themselves in hot water due to allegation of sticky fingers.
Police captain, Karel Du Toit, stationed in Norther Cape Stock was arrested by the Anti-Corruption on Wednesday, May 8th for allegations of fraud, defeating administration of justice, contravening tourism act, and corruption in dealing with endangered succulent plants.
According to national police spokesperson, Brig. Athlenda Mathe, Du Toit has been under investigations on these allegations for more than 4 years.
“it is alleged that the Captain allegedly sold these plants to the international buyers for a number of years to the cost of more than 7 million rand,” she said.
Mojalefa Senokoatsane, National Prosecuting Authority provincial spokesperson, said the captain received money under table for illegal trading (dealing and collecting of succulent plants without permits) which violated provincial nature conservation act.
“The accused who is stationed at Springbok where he is Commander of the Stock Theft Unit is facing charges of fraud alternative Theft, defeating the administration of justice, contravening of the Tourism Act, and corruption,” said Senokoatsane.
Adding, “The state alleges that the accused as a Director of Pillansii Tours (Pty) Ltd, as well as being also a board member for the South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association(Hunters Association) was instrumental in ensuring that Hunter’s Association benefited from court’s sentences through donations which formed part of court’s sentences imposed to those who entered into plea agreements and /or alternative dispute resolutions with the state. Even though he completed the declaration forms as required by SAPS, he failed and misrepresented the facts by saying he is getting R750.00 per month which is not an income per se but a gratuity (often called tip)”.
Senokoatsane continued, “they said misrepresentations were made during the following financial years starting from 2016 to 2023. As a member of SAPS in his application for S252A, he wouldn’t mention that he uses his tourism business for trap purposes and wouldn’t disclose that he has received money from the arrested foreign nationals before the execution of the project (S252A)”.
“The accused and his business (accused 2) were not registered as required by the law in terms of Tourism Act 3 of, 2014. Even though he was employed by the state as a Senior Member of the police, he continued to receive payments from foreign nationals who were later charged for offences related to contravening of Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act 9 of 2009 particularly S 50 and 51 (dealing and Collecting of Succulents plants without a permit),” he said.
Late last year, the Hawk’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation team arrested Nomvula Jacobs(49) for theft on Tuesday, September 05.
Jacobs was holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel was serving as the acting station commander of Springbok SAPS when the crime was committed.
According to the provincial hawks, Jacobs allegedly stole to an amount over R200 000 from the station safe where exhibits are kept.
“The amount is made up of R102 700 which was confiscated on an ongoing enquiry matter, the amount was supposed to be deposited into a criminal asset recovery account (CARA) after the High Court recently issued an order to that effect”.
“The balance of R189 000 is made up of other matters which are still pending. The investigation team made the discovery after several attempts were made to access the safe but the key was missing. The safe was finally opened on Wednesday, 30 August 2023 resulting in the case of theft being opened against the acting station commander”.
NPA said the case has been transferred to the regional court from the District Court on May as it continues to be heard midst of the continuous scandals conducted by police personnel’s.
Captain Du Tiot has been suspended due to pending police internal departmental disciplinary processes. And will make another court appearance on August 1st.
