Bogus police captain nabbed for ‘selling jobs’
It is alleged the accused had posed as an official from the South African Police Services (SAPS) Provincial Human Resources Department in Polokwane and scammed several job seekers of thousands of rands.
15 February 13:20
POLOKWANE – Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe said the man was denied bail and his case was postponed to 24 February for formal bail application and further police investigations.
13 February 16:40
POLOKWANE – The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt Genl Nneke Ledwaba has welcomed the arrest of a 28-year-old man, who in 2019 pretended to be captain in the SAPS Provincial Human Resource Management office and in so doing stole thousands of rands from unsuspecting job seekers.
Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe explained that the suspect would contact the unsuspecting victims who had applied for a job with then service, and instruct them to deposit a certain amount of money into various accounts for ‘medical reports’. “He will thereafter, instruct them to take the receipt to the recruitment office as proof of payment. The victims then learned that they were scammed.”
Victims came forward and several cases of fraud were opened.
An intelligence-driven joint operation was activated and the accused was eventually arrested at Lethuli Park in Seshego on Friday, 12 February. Ngoepe added that the suspect may still be linked to similar cases as investigations continue.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 February on charges of fraud and corruption.
“Police are calling upon victims of such scams to contact Lt Col Richard Boshomane at 079 894 5501, the 24-hour Crime stop number at 086 0010 111 or the nearest police station or MySAPSApp.”
Ledwaba reiterated that police will not request or demand cash for any reason during the recruitment process or investigations. “Police recruitment forms are not for sale and our posts are advertised on different media platforms with clear specifications.”
He urged residents to report these type of tendencies to the police immediately.
