The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in the Free State, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, has commended the swift and decisive action taken by members of the Thabo Mofutsanyana Commercial Crime Investigation Unit (CCIU) and supporting units, following the arrest of three suspects – including a serving police sergeant – in Bethlehem.
The arrests were effected during a takedown operation conducted under Project Fanta Orange, a targeted initiative to root out fraud and corruption in the district. The operation followed a fraud case initially reported by a local furniture store on 26 March 2024, after suspicious account applications using falsified documents were uncovered. The fraudulent purchases amounted to over R124, 000.
As the investigation unfolded, a police sergeant stationed at Bohlokong Detectives was identified as one of the suspects. He allegedly assisted in the transportation of the stolen goods using a state vehicle, with some of the furniture delivered directly to his residence.
During the operation on 09 April 2025, a joint team comprising Bethlehem CCIU, the Tactical Response Team (TRT), Crime Intelligence (MODC), and Bethlehem Vispol arrested the sergeant and two other suspects. A search at the sergeant’s home led to a shocking discovery: some police dockets, buccal swabs and exhibits linked to some cases.
Lieutenant General Motswenyane expressed her gratitude to the team on this breakthrough and condemned this member’s conduct in strongest term:
“I want to applaud the hard work displayed by this team. It is deeply disturbing and shameful to discover that a member of our Service who was allegedly abusing the very trust and power entrusted to him by the people. We will not tolerate corruption, especially from within our own ranks. I want to reassure our communities that we are committed to cleaning house and restoring integrity to the badge.”
The 42-year-old sergeant could not account for the properties found in his possession. A case of defeating the ends of justice has been opened, and further links to other cases which are under investigation. He will appear in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court together with the 46 year-old woman and 39-year-old man.
