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A warrant officer stationed at the Lindley police station in the Free State who, along with four civilians, was fingered for allegedly defrauding the police using state petrol cards, has been arrested by the Hawks. They are set to make their appearance in the Reitz Magistrates’ Court tomorrow - Thursday, 4 April - following their arrest yesterday - Tuesday, 2 April.
The 53-year-old officer, together with his four accomplices aged between 47 and 67 years, allegedly conspired to commit the fraud during 2022. This is according to the findings of the Bethlehem Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team.
Capt. Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the four civilians work as petrol attendants at a local fuel station. He said the five men face charges of fraud, theft, and defeating the ends of justice.
Singo said an investigation into the misuse of state petrol cards was launched after the Lindley police station commander became suspicious of overspending on fuel.
“The investigation uncovered that a 53-year-old warrant officer allegedly used different state petrol cards by misrepresenting as if he refilled petrol into the state vehicles, while the vehicles were parked at the Lindley police station. It was further discovered that the warrant officer was conducting these fraudulent activities assisted by the petrol attendants,” he said. Singo said the police suffered a total loss of R46 911 through the fraudulent transactions.
“The incident took place between January and August 2022. A preliminary audit conducted on all state vehicles registered under Lindley Saps, discovered some questionable fuel transactions made on state vehicles,” said Singo. He said the use of fuel was subject of further investigation.
