How extortion-accused City cops remained at work

THE City returned two law enforcement officers to duty despite knowing the investigation into their alleged involvement in extortion-related crimes was ‘incomplete’.

The officers were arrested again on Tuesday after allegedly continuing the scheme until the Hawks pounced on them.

The officers aged 36 and 41 from the City’s Metal theft unit are accused of extorting over half a million rand from spaza shops owned by foreign nationals. They are expected to appear before the Cape Town regional court on charges of corruption, extortion and business robbery on Wednesday.

“The duo were arrested after incidents that took place from 31 January 2025 up until to date where they were arrested on a warrant of arrest,” said Hawks provincial spokesperson, Zinzi Hani.

“It is believed that the officers were targeting foreign nationals spaza shops requesting their asylum documentation. With or without the documents, the officers will still demand money. On different occasions the victims paid an amount of R5000 and R6000. Further, the investigation revealed that during an arrest of one of the victims the suspects managed to steal cigarettes out of the victims vehicle to the value of over R600 000 while the victim was being processed at Phillipi East police station.”

The suspects were arrested on similar charges in May 2025 but were subsequently released on bail, said Hani.

Asked why the City did not suspend the officers pending the outcome of the criminal case, Law Enforcement spokesperson, Wayne Dyason cited an “incomplete” SAPS investigation. The officers were however placed on ‘administrative duty’, he said.

"The City initiated the appropriate action at the time, in line with policies and processes, and the officers returned to work after the disciplinary charges were withdrawn as the SAPS investigation was incomplete. They were placed on administrative duty while the employer continued to investigate the matter internally. They were re-arrested by the Hawks on 2 December 2025 on the same charges which the City was involved in since January 2025,” said Dyason.

He said the Safety and Security Directorate remained committed to rooting out corrupt and criminal elements that have infiltrated the City’s enforcement services.

“We will not hesitate to investigate and take the required action when wrongdoing is uncovered. This matter is also being dealt with in terms of City policies and processes, and we can confirm they will be suspended as the disciplinary process is underway,” he said in a general statement issued after the arrests.

Dyason also confirmed to the Cape Times that a third officer was dismissed following an internal disciplinary hearing into his involvement in a (separate) criminal matter.

“In addition, another Law Enforcement officer who was arrested in April this year appeared in court on 25 October 2025 where the charges were withdrawn. He was also found not guilty by an internal disciplinary hearing. He is back on duty, but in a non-operational role for now,” said Dyason.

Between July and September 2025, five officers were dismissed, the City said.

“In terms of dismissals etc. – please note that staff are not necessarily dismissed for criminal behaviour. The City also acts in instances where the employee code of conduct or other conditions of employment have been breached.

“In terms of individuals partaking in illegal or questionable activities, the City conducts vetting of potential recruits within the Safety and Security Directorate. While this is not foolproof against potential misconduct, it is the widely accepted means of recruiting candidates fit for purpose. Also, anyone who abuses the uniform will be investigated, charged and given an appropriate sanction if found guilty,” added Dyason.

Khayelitsha Community Policing Forum public relations officer said: “Extortion does not only target foreign nationals. They target any business owned by anybody, whatever you are selling, even a salon. This week we saw that all shops owned by foreign nations were closed, but there is no notice to explain why.”

Cape Times