High Ranking Cop Arrested in Connection with Multi-Million Rand Tender in South Africa

A high-ranking South African Police Service (SAPS) officer has been arrested during a predawn raid in connection with a 2017 SAPS multi-million rand tender, becoming the 13th accused expected to appear before the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on charges of corruption, fraud, theft and money laundering. UPDATE: The officer, identified as Bonang Mgwenya, is the highest-ranking woman officer in the police.

Mgwenya appeared in court and was released on bail of R20,000. She joins others facing these charges, including former acting National Police Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane.

Her arrest and appearance relate to the supply of emergency warning equipment for the SAPS in 2017, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said in a statement on Monday.

“The contract price and exposure to the police ficus was R191 million. However, R65 million was paid to the service provider, Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement (Pty)Ltd. The payment of R22 million was stopped at an advanced stage of the Investigating Directorate’s probe into the matter,” said NPA spokesperson Sindisiwe Twala.

This latest arrest joins not only Phahlane, but also former Gauteng Police Commissioner Deliwe de Lange, Gauteng Deputy Police Commissioner Major-General Brigadier Nombhuruza Lettie Napo, Lieutenant General Ramahlapi Johannes Mokwena (reitred Divisional Commissioner), Brigadier James Ramanjalum, and Major General Ravichandran Pillay, Thomas Dumas Marima (Colonel), Meetapese Joseph Mulaiwa (Seargent). The Civilians are Judy Rose, Samantha Andrews, Vimpie Manthatha and a company represented by its director Vimpie, and Instrumentation for Traffic Law enforcement (Pty) Ltd.