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Hawks arrest dismissed constable over alleged fleet card fraud

Published

Bafo Siyabonga Cindi, a former police constable dismissed from the SAPS in May, appeared in the Standerton magistrate's court on fraud and theft charges. The Hawks accuse him of misusing a SAPS fleet card for personal transactions of about R8,000.

The Hawks arrested Cindi on Thursday at Ermelo Correctional Centre in Mpumalanga. One outlet reported that he was already in custody on separate stock theft charges. The case was postponed to 5 November so he can secure legal representation.

Cindi was an investigating officer attached to the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit. The Hawks said the investigation began in 2024, after the unit in Standerton reported the alleged misuse of state funds. The Hawks have handed the case docket to the National Prosecuting Authority.

Brigadier Bruce Davenport, acting provincial head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, commented in a statement. He said the arrest shows the unit's commitment to holding law enforcement officials accountable. Davenport said: "No uniform, badge or rank places anyone above the law."

Key facts

Who
Bafo Siyabonga Cindi (Former SAPS constable dismissed in May, accused of misusing a SAPS fleet card); Bruce Davenport (Acting provincial head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga); Hawks (Investigating unit that arrested Cindi); South African Police Service (Cindi's former employer)
What
The Hawks arrested Cindi, who was dismissed from the SAPS in May, at Ermelo Correctional Centre on Thursday over alleged misuse of a SAPS fleet card. He appeared in court on fraud and theft charges and the matter was postponed to November 5 to allow him to secure legal representation.
When
22 October 2026
Where
Ermelo, Standerton, Perdekop
Status
Reported

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