Senior Eastern Cape police officer arrested over R60,720 theft

Senior Eastern Cape police officer arrested for alleged theft of R60,720. A senior member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has beenarrestedfor the alleged misappropriation of state funds amounting to R60,720 at the SAPS Academy in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. Lieutenant Colonel Bidla was arrested on Wednesday, 5 March, by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit, working together with the National Prosecuting Authority.

He briefly appeared before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on the same day and was released on R5,000 bail. Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the charges stem from an internal financial handover conducted in December 2025 at the SAPS Academy in Mthatha. Mhlakuvana said investigations revealed that, before going on leave, the academy’s Sub-section Head of Finance formally transferred financial responsibilities to Lieutenant Colonel Bidla, who serves as Head of Support Services.

During the structured handover, two strongroom keys, one safe key, and R60,000 in state funds were officially entrusted to Bidla. An additional R720 — generated from the sale of perishable groceries following the academy’s closure for the festive season — was deposited and secured in the same safe under Bidla’s custodial control. Mhlakuvana said the alleged shortfall was discovered on February 9, 2026, when the academy commander instructed that finance duties be formally handed back to the Sub-section Head of Finance.

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“It is alleged that when Bidla accessed the safe alone, the full amount of R60,720 was missing. No signs of forced entry or damage to the finance office were reported,” Mhlakuvana said. The matter was subsequently referred to the Hawks for investigation, which led to Bidla’s arrest. The case was postponed to March 24, 2026, to allow Bidla to secure legal representation.

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