Western Cape Police Commissioner and his allies arrested, get R5 000 bail
Pretoria – The Provincial Commissioner of the Western Cape Lieutenant General Arno Lamoer (55), Brigadier Darius Van Der Ross (46), Brigadiers Kolindren and Logambal Govender, both 54, as well as renowned businessman Mohammed Salim Dawjee (48), have been granted R5 000 bail each following their brief appearance at the Goodwood Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
The five handed themselves over to the Hawks today (Friday) for allegedly partaking in corrupt activities as well as being part of a criminal syndicate.
Lt Gen Lamoer is facing eight (8) counts of corruption in that he allegedly received money in his bank account, had his clothing accounts together with a certain holiday accommodation paid by Dawjee. He also allegedly had his private vehicle repaired by Dawjee in exchange of illegal favours. Lt Gen Lamoer also faces two counts relating to being part of criminal syndicate.
Brigadier Darius Van Der Ross has been charged with two counts of partaking in a criminal syndicate. He also faces nine (9) counts of corruption for allegedly receiving gratifications which included having his private vehicle filled with petrol in exchange for favours.
Van Der Ross, who is the Cluster Commander of Stellenbosch, will also answer to two charges under the Firearms Control Act for taking part in the unlawful disposal of a firearm, as well as one count of fraudulently authorizing members under his command to do favours for Dawjee in exchange for the gratifications Van Der Ross had received.
Brigadier Kolindren Govender, a Provincial Head of the Inspectorate and his wife, Logambal, who is a Station Commander of SAPS Bellville, are facing eight (8) charges relating to receiving unauthorized gratifications amounting to R1.2 million each, as well as two counts of involving themselves in the unlawful disposal of a firearm.
The fifth suspect, Mohammed Salim Dawjee, faces two counts of unlawfully offering gratifications in a racketeering manner to police officers.
He also faces two counts of fraud after he allegedly submitted fraudulent quotations for work to be done on police vehicles, three (3) counts for contravening Firearms Control Act, one count of corruption for allegedly offering high ranking police officer money to derail the investigations, as well as two charges for unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.
Dawjee’s 27-year-old son, Zamir, the CEO of Towbars Cape Town CC and Towbars Kings CC, was also summoned to appear in court as the two companies under his watch were found to have been involved in the dodgy dealings.
The suspects were ordered to handover their passports, not to reapply for new travel documents without the knowledge of the investigating officer, not to make contact with witnesses and that they should inform the investigating officer about any change of addresses as part of their bail conditions. Their case has been postponed until 12 June 2015, to allow for further police investigations.
The Acting Head of DPCI Maj Gen Benny Ntlemeza said he was saddened about the arrests of the senior members in the SAPS, but was quick to mention that the Hawks will make every endeavour to root-out corruption in the country.
“We have the mandate to end corrupt and fraudulent activities in our country and since no one is above the law, we do not look at the stature of the person when we investigate fraud and corruption. This should be a lesson to all law enforcers that we should practice what we preach daily and stay clean and corrupt-free”, said Ntlemeza.
Statement issued by Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, South African Police Service, Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation (HAWKS). April 17 2015
