Cape Town Police Officers Arrested in Affidavit Corruption Scandal
Viable News Team 
Cape Town, Two police officers stationed in the Mother City have found themselves on the wrong side of the law after being arrested for corruption. The officers, a 41-year-old sergeant and a 31-year-old constable, are accused of selling blank, signed, and commissioned affidavit forms to members of the public for R100 each a serious breach of both legal protocol and public trust.
According to police spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut, the alleged misconduct came to light late last year when an already commissioned affidavit was discovered under suspicious circumstances. The document was found inside a vehicle at a crime scene in Table View, sparking immediate concern among the officers investigating the matter. The irregularity of the document a sworn statement already bearing official stamps and signatures but with no content raised red flags about its origin and use.
The discovery prompted an internal investigation by the South African Police Service’s Anti-Corruption Unit. Over the following months, investigators worked to piece together a paper trail and uncover whether the case was isolated or part of a larger operation. Once sufficient evidence had been gathered, the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court issued arrest warrants for both officers.
The pair were detained on Sunday evening at the Table View police station, where they were stationed. They are now facing serious charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Their first court appearance is scheduled for Monday, where they are expected to hear the charges formally laid against them.
Western Cape provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, responded firmly to news of the arrests. He reiterated the SAPS’s zero-tolerance stance toward internal corruption, stating that law enforcement officers who abuse their authority or exploit their positions for personal gain will face the full weight of the law.
“Every effort will be made to remove any police officer found on the wrong side of the law from the service,” said Patekile. “The integrity of our justice system relies on public confidence in our officers, and that confidence is eroded when those entrusted with enforcing the law are seen to be violating it.”
The arrest of the two Cape Town officers follows a similar case in George earlier this year, in which the Hawks apprehended a 44-year-old police officer and a former detective for their alleged involvement in bribery and witness tampering.
In that case, the officers had reportedly approached suspects involved in an assault investigation and solicited a R2,500 bribe in exchange for making the case “disappear.” The matter escalated when one of the officers attempted to influence the testimony of a complainant who had laid charges against the former detective’s colleague.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi confirmed that the ex-detective allegedly intimidated and improperly persuaded the complainant in an attempt to protect his former colleague. The case was widely condemned as another example of systemic issues plaguing the country’s policing structures.
These incidents are the latest in a series of corruption-related arrests involving members of the SAPS, highlighting persistent concerns about misconduct and the abuse of power within police ranks. The growing number of corruption cases not only undermines the SAPS’s ability to serve communities but also raises questions about accountability, oversight, and institutional reform.
Public sentiment continues to shift toward frustration, with many calling for stronger safeguards and more transparent disciplinary processes. While internal anti-corruption units have made strides in identifying and addressing misconduct, critics argue that more proactive measures are needed to restore the credibility of the police force.
For now, the case against the two Cape Town officers is a stark reminder of the challenges facing law enforcement in South Africa where the fight against crime must often begin within its own walls.
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