Two members of the SAPS (South African Police Service) stationed at Table View in Cape Town have been arrested after allegedly selling signed and commissioned blank affidavit forms for R100 each.
Cape Town SAPS officials arrested for selling blank affidavit forms for R100
An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, often used as evidence in court. Selling such documents is illegal because it allows people to create false statements for personal gain or to mislead the justice system.
According to Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut, the arrests took place during an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Anti-Corruption Unit. This unit investigates police officers suspected of breaking the law.
The matter came to light late last year when police found a signed and commissioned affidavit inside a vehicle at a crime scene in Table View. The document was suspicious because it was blank — meaning no statement had been written, but it had already been signed and stamped by a police officer.
Investigators discovered that the affidavit had allegedly been sold to a member of the public. Further investigation revealed that a 41-year-old sergeant and a 31-year-old constable at the station were involved.
After gathering enough evidence, the Anti-Corruption Unit obtained arrest warrants from the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court.
The two officers were taken into custody at the Table View police station last night.
They are facing charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
- Corruption means using one’s position of power for personal gain, usually in exchange for money or favours.
- Defeating the ends of justice means interfering with the legal process in a way that prevents justice from being carried out.
The pair are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, issued a strong warning:
“Corruption within our ranks will not be tolerated, and every effort will be made to remove any police officer found on the wrong side of the law from the Service.”
The arrests come at a time when the national police ministry is under increased public and political pressure following recent revelations about corruption at high levels of law enforcement.