Bloemfontein - The Hawks Anti-Corruption Task Team in Bloemfontein has arrested two police officials in the sting operation as part of the ongoing investigation into corruption among SAPS officials.

The arrests involved a 61-year old retired Detective Lieutenant who went on retirement in November last year and a 36-year old current serving Detective Sergeant. Both suspects were working at Parkweg Detective Unit.

A Detective Sergeant was arrested at work at Parkweg Police Station on Wednesday at 21:00 and a retired Lieutenant was arrested at the same night at his home in Pieter Swart in Bloemspruit area.

Preliminary charges against the suspects vary from corruption and theft. The suspects allegedly defrauded the state an undisclosed amount of money by falsifying informers claims and pocketed most of the payouts. The alleged reported offences against the Detective Lieutenant were reportedly occurred between 2006 and 2010 while for the Detective Sergeant took place between 2011 and 2012.

Both suspects appeared in Bloemfontein Magistrate court on Thusrday and they were remanded in custody. They are expected to appear in court again on Monday, 04 March 2013.

The Provincial Commissioner of the Free State, Lieutenant General Khehla Sitole, said the arrests followed after an ongoing investigation as part of the SAPS ` drive to eradicate corruption and criminal behaviour among police officials in the Free State. If they are found guilty of the suspected crimes, they will face the full might of the law. The arrested serving member is also subjected to internal departmental disciplinary steps, which may include suspension or dismissal.

Statement supplied by SAPS