South Africa’s Highest-Ranking Woman Cop Named as Fraud Accused
The top-ranking South African Police Service officer arrested during a predawn raid in connection with a 2017 SAPS multi-million rand tender has appeared in court, where she was identified as Lieutenant General Bonang Mgwenya, the highest-ranking female police officer in the country. Bonang, deputy national commissioner, who is responsible for human resource management, is the […]
The top-ranking South African Police Service officer arrested during a predawn raid in connection with a 2017 SAPS multi-million rand tender has appeared in court, where she was identified as Lieutenant General Bonang Mgwenya, the highest-ranking female police officer in the country.
Bonang, deputy national commissioner, who is responsible for human resource management, is the 13th accused – and one of at least nine police officers – to appear before the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on charges of corruption, fraud, theft and money laundering. She was released on bail of R20,000. Also accused is former acting National Police Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane.
#TopCopArrest : Top cop, Bonang Mgwenya appears in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Monday on charges of corruption, fraud, theft and money laundering . (@CannyMaphanga) pic.twitter.com/lWcFdIdIbT
— Team News24 (@TeamNews24) October 12, 2020
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 today.
“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.
Bonang joins Phahlane, former Gauteng Police Commissioner Deliwe de Lange, Gauteng Deputy Police Commissioner Major-General Brigadier Nombhuruza Lettie Napo, Lieutenant General Ramahlapi Johannes Mokwena (retired 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.
Update 13 Nov ’20: Deputy Commissioner Bonang Mgwenya has been dismissed by SAPS