Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has commended what he called the outstanding work of the South African Police Service (SAPS) following the successful arrest of a sergeant, after an extensive two-month investigation led by the highly respected Captain Keshi Mabunda.
Mabunda is renowned for his exceptional work in dismantling insurance fraud syndicates. One of the successful convictions was that of former police officer and convicted serial killer Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu, who orchestrated the murders of loved ones for payouts on insurance policies.
The sergeant, 43, has been linked to the brutal and senseless murders of six individuals in and around Polokwane, Limpopo.
The victims, who lost their lives under tragic and terrifying circumstances, were part of a calculated and heinous scheme to defraud life and funeral insurance policies amounting to R10 million.
“I want to take this moment to commend Captain Mabunda and his team for their tireless and meticulous work in bringing this rogue officer to justice. Their dedication to the rule of law and the protection of our citizens is an embodiment of the integrity we expect from the SAPS.
“The nature of these crimes is deeply disturbing, with the victims meeting their ends in various violent ways. Such cruelty and disregard for human life is utterly reprehensible, and it is all the more shocking when perpetrated by someone sworn to uphold the law and protect the innocent,” said Mchunu.
He further went on to reiterate the Ministry’s stance on corruption within the SAPS.
“At the same time, I must strongly condemn, in the clearest possible terms, any acts of corruption, criminality, or betrayal by members of the police service. This arrest serves as a stark reminder that there is no place in the SAPS for officers who abuse their position of authority for personal gain or engage in unlawful conduct. Such actions not only harm innocent lives but also erode the trust that the public places in law enforcement.
“Let me be unequivocal: we will root out corruption and criminality from within the ranks of SAPS. Any police officer found to be involved in crime will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We will not tolerate such conduct, and we will continue to work tirelessly to restore the public’s confidence in our police service,” Mchunu said.
This week alone, approximately 15 police officers were arrested in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Limpopo. Others have appeared in various courts for crimes such as murder, attempted murder, extortion, assault GBH, rape and many more charges.
In a written reply to a DA Parliamentary question last year, former police minister Bheki Cele revealed that of the 5 489 SAPS members arrested since 2019 for various crimes, 3 981 of these members are still currently employed by SAPS – despite their arrests.
The Star
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