POLICE CAPTAIN APPEARS IN COURT FOR CORRUPTION AND FRAUD
Karel Coetzee Du Toit, a Captain in the South African Police Service (SAPS) has appeared in the Springbok Magistrates’ Court, where he is facing numerous charges. The accused who is stationed at Springbok where he is Commander of the Stock Theft Unit is facing charges of fraud alternative Theft, defeating the administration of justice, contravening of the Tourism Act, and corruption. The state alleges that the accused as a Director of Pillansii Tours (Pty) Ltd, as well as being also a board member for the South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association(Hunters Association) was instrumental in ensuring that Hunter’s Association benefited from court’s sentences through donations which formed part of court’s sentences imposed to those who entered into plea agreements and /or alternative dispute resolutions with the state. Even though he completed the declaration forms as required by SAPS, he failed and misrepresented the facts by saying he is getting R750.00 per month which is not an income per se but a gratuity (often called tip).
The said misrepresentations were made during the following financial years starting from 2016 to 2023. As a member of SAPS in his application for S252A, he wouldn’t mention that he uses his tourism business for trap purposes and wouldn’t disclose that he has received money from the arrested foreign nationals before the execution of the project (S252A). The accused and his business (accused 2) were not registered as required by the law in terms of Tourism Act 3 of, 2014. Even though he was employed by the state as a Senior Member of the South African Police Service, he continued to receive payments from foreign nationals who were later charged for offences related to contravening of Northern Cape Nature Conservation Act 9 of 2009 particularly S 50 and 51 (dealing and Collecting of Succulents plants without a permit).
The accused has been granted bail of R50000 and the matter has been remanded to the 01 August 2024. His bail conditions are that he should report to the nearest police station every Friday. Not to intimidate witnesses directly or indirectly and must not interfere with the investigation of this case. The accused must remain in attendance at the court as and when he is ordered to appear.
