A 29-year-old court interpreter has been arrested in George by the Serious Corruption Investigation team for allegedly defrauding local taxi owners. The arrest took place on 1 July 2025, following an investigation by the Hawks into multiple serious charges including corruption, fraud, forgery, and uttering.

A 29-year-old court interpreter has been arrested

According to the spokesperson for the Hawks, the suspect, identified as Siphelele Gladstone Appolis, is accused of approaching two taxi owners in March 2024. Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi say Appolis allegedly introduced himself as someone with influence at court. He then allegedly promised to assist them in retrieving their impounded taxis in exchange for a bribe of R3,000 per vehicle.

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George Court Interpreter Arrested for Alleged Taxi Scam Involving Fraud and Forgery

An agreement was reportedly reached between Appolis and the taxi owners. He then allegedly forged official court documents, including charge sheets. He is suspected of having stolen from the Thembalethu Magistrate’s Court. To further the deception, he is said to have forged a Magistrate’s signature to make the documents appear authentic. Appolis appeared briefly in the George Magistrate’s Court on 2 July 2025. The case has been postponed to Monday, 7 July 2025, when he is expected to apply for formal bail.

Hawks nab 29-year-old for impersonating a court authority

The Hawks have reiterated their commitment to rooting out corruption within the justice system, especially when trust is violated by those entrusted with upholding the law.

Key charges against the suspect:

Corruption
Fraud
Forgery
Uttering

A 29-year-old court interpreter has been arrested in George — Image: Inside a courtroom in George.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of more arrests as the case unfolds.