The SAPS Political Killings Task Team has arrested a mayor, a municipal manager and a chief financial officer in the Western Cape for alleged corruption linked to a municipal security services contract.
The three were arrested on Thursday, following a sting operation on the Southern Coast of the Western Cape.
According to the SAPS, the arrests stem from information received that a businessman who had been awarded a multi-million-rand security contract was being extorted for kickbacks to keep the contract alive.
Police say the businessman had already paid hundreds of thousands of rand out of fear that his contract would be terminated if he did not comply.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the arrests, saying the PKTT moved in after weeks of intelligence gathering.
“The SAPS Political Killings Task Team has arrested a Mayor, a Municipal Manager and a Chief Financial Officer of a municipality in connection with an investigation into alleged corruption relating to a security services contract,” Mathe said.
“It is alleged 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 the businessman was targeted shortly after his company was appointed to provide security services to the municipality.
“He had already paid hundreds of thousands of rands out of fear that his security services contract would be terminated,” she said.
The trio are now facing charges of corruption and are expected to appear in court on Monday, 05 October 2026.
Sources close to the investigation said the mayor allegedly played a central role in demanding the kickbacks, while the municipal manager and CFO were roped in to facilitate the payments and ensure the contract was not renewed unless bribes were paid.
The municipality, which cannot be named until the suspects have appeared in court, is understood to be one of several coastal municipalities where security contracts have become a flashpoint for corruption.
Mathe said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests cannot be ruled out.
“The investigation continues. We cannot rule out further arrests as we follow the money trail,” she said.
She also appealed to other business owners who may have been extorted in a similar manner to come forward.
“We urge any other contractors who have been subjected to this type of extortion to contact the PKTT. No one should have to pay a bribe to do legitimate business with the state,” Mathe said.
The three officials are expected to remain in custody until their first court appearance on Monday, where the State is expected to oppose bail.
The SAPS said further details will be released after their court appearance.
