A Western Cape mayor, municipal manager and chief financial officer have been arrested in connection with an alleged corruption scheme involving kickbacks linked to a municipal security services contract.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the three officials were arrested by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) following an investigation into allegations of corruption at a municipality on the southern coast of the Western Cape.
Police allege a businessman who had secured a security services contract with the municipality was pressured to pay kickbacks to ensure the contract continued.
Businessman allegedly paid thousands
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said investigators acted on information alleging that the businessman was being solicited for kickbacks in exchange for keeping his municipal contract.
“The arrests follow information received by the police regarding allegations that a businessman who had been awarded a security services contract was being solicited for kickbacks in exchange for the continuation of the contract,” Mathe said.
Police allege the businessman had already handed over hundreds of thousands of rands because he feared losing the contract.
“It’s alleged that the businessman had already paid hundreds of thousands of rands out of fear that his security services contract would be terminated,” Mathe said.
Three face corruption charges
The mayor, municipal manager and CFO are expected to face corruption charges when they appear in court on October 5.
“All three face charges of corruption and are due in court on Monday, 5 October 2026,” Mathe said.
The arrests place three of the municipality’s most senior office-bearers at the centre of the corruption investigation.
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