A Western Cape mayor, municipal manager and chief financial officer have been arrested over an alleged corruption scheme involving a municipal security services contract.
The three senior officials were arrested on Thursday, 1 October 2026, by the South African Police Service (SAPS) Political Killings Task Team following an investigation into alleged kickbacks at a municipality on the southern coast of the Western Cape.
According to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, a businessman who secured the security services contract was allegedly pressured to make payments to officials to keep the contract. Police allege that the businessman paid hundreds of thousands of rands because he feared the contract would be terminated if he refused.
Investigators reportedly received information about the alleged scheme and followed up on the claims before arresting the mayor, municipal manager and CFO. The three suspects now face corruption charges.
SAPS has not disclosed the name of the municipality or identified the officials. Police have also not revealed the value of the security contract or the total amount allegedly paid in kickbacks.
The suspects are expected to appear in court on Monday, 5 October 2026. SAPS has not yet provided details of the specific allegations against each official or confirmed whether further arrests are expected.
