Hassan Isilow
12 October 2020•Update: 12 October 2020
JOHANNESBURG
A top ranking South African police officer was arrested on Monday over corruption allegations, a government department responsible for investigating complaints against the police said.
The unnamed police commissioner was held in connection with the supply of emergency warning equipment to the police service, according to a statement by the Independent Investigative Directorate.
The contract price for the supply of equipment was Rand 191 million ($11.58 million) but only Rand 65million ($3.9 million) was paid to the service provider, it added.
The senior police officer is accused of aiding and abetting the crime.
Eleven others, including police officers and civilians, have also been arrested in the case. Among those is former commissioner Khomotso Phahlane, who has denied any wrongdoing.
South Africa has intensified its fight against graft in recent past.
Former President Jacob Zuma, who was forced to resign in February 2018, has been summoned to appear before an anti-corruption commission next month.
His successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, has promised to tackle corruption, fraud, and theft of public funds.
Several members of African National Congress, the ruling party of post-apartheid South Africa since the election of Nelson Mandela in 1994, are also being investigated for alleged financial wrongdoings.
