From badge to bad: Table View officers in hot water for selling affidavit forms

Two police officers are set to make their first court appearance on Tuesday after they were arrested for corruption for allegedly selling commissioned blank affidavit forms to the public for R100.

The officers,  a 41-year-old sergeant and a 31-year-old constable, were stationed at the Table View SAPS station and were arrested on Sunday night.

They now face charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

Western Cape police commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, issued a warning following the arrest.

“Corruption within our ranks will not be tolerated, and every effort will be made to remove any police officer found on the wrong side of the law from the Service,” Patekile said.

Police spokesperson, Andrè Traut, said the matter first surfaced last year when a signed and commissioned statement was discovered in a vehicle at a crime scene in Table View, which sparked an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Unit.

“The arrests stem from allegations that a 41-year-old sergeant and a 31-year-old constable were selling commissioned blank affidavit forms to members of the public at R100 per statement. 

"The matter first came to light late last year when a signed and commissioned statement was discovered in a vehicle at a crime scene in Table View. An investigation was immediately launched by the Anti-Corruption Unit.

"Once sufficient evidence was obtained, the Cape Town Magistrate's Court issued warrants for their arrest. This culminated in the detention of the two members at the police station [Sunday] night.

"They will face charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice and are expected to make their first court appearance in Cape Town," said Traut. 

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