A police sergeant and two former colleagues appeared in court accused of defrauding the SAPS of more than R260,000 in fictitious claims for meals and accommodation, claiming they were on duty investigating cases.
Sergeant Andile Mphithiphithi, 49, with retired captain Sanda Dlulisa, 63, and dismissed sergeant Mbuso Booi, 44, appeared in the Mthatha special commercial crimes court on Monday.
Mphithiphithi is attached to the provincial organised crime unit where his co-accused had also worked.
The Hawks arrested them early on Monday in East London, Centane and Dutywa.
Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said the offences were allegedly committed about six years ago when they were all working in the same office.
“One of them Booi, had already been discharged by the SAPS for corruption not involving this incident,” Mgolodela said.
It is alleged that during 2017 and 2018, the three submitted claims of subsistence for meals and accommodation for investigations outside their offices.
However, it was discovered that they were not on duty on the dates, some were on holiday and some of the dates were public holidays.
The SAPS referred the matter to the Hawks for investigation.
“It was then discovered that the SAPS was prejudiced to the value of more than R260,000, collectively,” Mgolodela said.
Booi and Mphithiphithi are both from East London and Sanda is from Centane.
“The complaint was lodged in Butterworth. This came up after a foreign national opened a complaint that Booi owed him a large amount of money.
“The investigation was launched as to whether indeed the foreign national deposited the money into the banking account of Booi.
“The investigation established transactions from the SAPS and an investigation ensued.”
The matter was postponed to August 27.
The three are out on R5,000 bail each.
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