RETIRED POLICE CAPTAIN SENTENCED FOR FRAUD AT THE POLOKWANE COMMERCIAL CRIMES COURT
POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit has secured the conviction and sentencing of retired police officer, Captain Louis Christian La Grange,(59), formerly stationed at the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) in Thabazimbi, for fraud and forgery.
The case stems from an incident on Wednesday, 4 August 2021, when the complainant, while processing overtime claims for submission to the Provincial Office, detected irregularities in the documents submitted by the accused. It was found that La Grange had falsely claimed overtime for duties allegedly performed on 31 July 2021, when in fact he had not been on duty, thereby misrepresenting and defrauding the state an undisclosed amount of money.
Further investigation by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit revealed that the documents submitted contained forged signatures of the certifying officer. In addition, the diary submitted to support the overtime claim did not match the official physical diary issued to him.
The accused was subsequently charged and made several appearances in the Polokwane Commercial Crimes Court, where he was ultimately found guilty.
On Monday, 11 August 2025, the court sentenced La Grange to a fine of R25 000 or six years’ imprisonment. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, welcomed the sentence, stating, “This conviction sends a clear message that corruption and dishonesty, regardless of rank or position, will not be tolerated within the SAPS. We remain committed to ensuring that all members uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.”
