The South African Police Service (SAPS) has suspended a captain attached to the Protection and Security Services (PSS). An internal investigation uncovered that the officer allegedly manipulated finance systems to withdraw millions of rand meant for presidential protection travel expenses.

Police say the captain worked in the PSS finance section and booked out cash under the guise of travel allowances for close protectors. The close protectors never received the funds, authorities confirm.

Alleged Fraud in Presidential Protection Finance

The SAPS captain suspended allegedly used his access to the finance system to divert public funds. Investigators found he recorded lump-sum cash withdrawals as legitimate travel expenses for close protectors attached to the Presidential Protection Service (PPS).

Further checks showed the protectors received none of the money. Instead, the captain withdrew the cash himself, according to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

Sunnyside police station in Pretoria opened a fraud case after a lengthy internal probe. The departmental investigation then led directly to the captain’s suspension.

SAPS Leadership Acts Quickly on Corruption

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola applauded the SAPS financial management division for spotting and rooting out the criminality. He immediately assigned the SAPS anti-corruption unit to investigate the matter fully.

Mathe emphasised that SAPS maintains strict controls to protect taxpayers’ money. “The SAPS will not tolerate fraud and corruption within its ranks,” she stated in the official release.

The police service also made clear that no close protectors assigned to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President Paul Mashatile, ministers or deputy ministers face any implication in the case.

Portfolio Committee Welcomes Probe but Seeks Broader Accountability

Portfolio Committee on Police Chairperson Ian Cameron welcomed the suspension and the opening of a fraud case. He noted that the anti-corruption unit is now investigating, according to a parliamentary media statement issued on 1 April 2026.

Cameron added that the matter cannot end with one suspension. He called for a full investigation into any senior officials who may have known, approved or failed to act on red flags, as well as the recovery of all misappropriated funds.