Major Breakthrough in SAPS Vehicle Branding Fraud as Racketeering Charges are Added

In a significant development within the judicial system of South Africa, the Investigating Directorate was granted a racketeering certificate in a monumental R56-million fraud case concerning the branding of police vehicles. This news was brought to light in a recent session at the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court and marks an escalation in the legal pursuit of corruption and organized crime related to state contracts.

The granting of a racketeering certificate by the acting National Director of Public Prosecutions, as mandated by the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, allows for the pursuit of racketeering charges against those involved, alongside the already substantial allegations of corruption, fraud, the theft, and money laundering they face. This development indicates the seriousness of the charges and the weight of evidence supporting them.

The case revolves around the manipulation and tampering with procurement documents that provided false price quotations to the South African Police Service (SAPS). This fraudulent activity allegedly occurred over 200 incidents from April 2016 to April 2019 and involves a broad range of services, from palisade fencing installation to gardening services.

Currently, the dockets list 65 accused, which includes high-ranking police officers among them and a retired lieutenant general, indicating a widespread and deeply rooted network of corruption within the police force's ranks. This case has seen changes in the suspect list, with some having passed away and charges against others withdrawn by the State.

The creation of an anti-corruption unit by the previous national police commissioner Khehla Sitole, and the consequent investigation, led to significant arrests, highlighting an aggressive and, thus far, effective approach to rooting out corruption within the police service.

Among the accused is Kishene Chetty, a Pretoria-based businessman, who allegedly led a vast family racket infiltrating the police’s supply chain management. The crackdown on this network of corruption extended to freezing and forfeiting bank accounts of several implicated companies. This action was evidently a robust and coordinated response to the systemic corruption that had taken root.

The preparation for these cases has seen meticulous and intensive investigation since a task team was formed, leading to the broad array of charges being placed. These charges have withstood the scrutiny of preliminary court proceedings and will now be tried in the High Court, which can handle the complexity and gravity of this multifaceted case.

The case's reinstatement and transfer to the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria signify the case's progress and the judicial system's commitment to handling such high-profile corruption allegations with transparency and due process. With the next court date set for the 13th of May, the public and interested parties will keenly watch the proceedings, with expectations of justice being served.