The Western Cape police have arrested six of their own on allegations of corruption, while a seventh arrest is imminent.

This follows a lengthy investigation by members of the Provincial Anti-corruption unit over the past 6 months.

Two sergeants and four constables aged between 31 and 42 have been detained.

The team arrived at the Maitland Flying Squad early on Tuesday morning and executed a warrant of arrest.

The police’s Andre Traut explains they will be charged on abalone and drugs smuggling related charges, and more charges could follow.

It’s alleged the accused seized boxes of abalone from suspects on a number of occasions without making any arrests or handing in the abalone as exhibits.

They are also accused of harbouring a corrupt relationship with ”persons on the wrong side of the law” by escorting drugs with a police vehicle.

Traut says the investigation into the corrupt activities of the members is still underway, they are now suspended from the SAPS.

The Western Cape provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile welcomed the arrests and also warned that corrupt members masquerading as police officers will be brought to book to face the full might of the law.

Traut says the arrests are part of the service’s continued pursuit to root out corruption amongst the Western Cape SAPS ranks and ”purge undesirable elements”.

Members of the public are encouraged to use the Anti-Corruption Hotline, 08600 701 701 if they are aware of any corrupt activities involving police members.

Last month, Premier Alan Winde announced the establishment of a panel of experts to deal with the report by the Western Cape Police Ombudsman into the alleged links between gangs and provincial cops, which found evidence that the claims could be substantiated.

In December last year, the police ombud, retired Major-General Oswald Reddy, handed his report to Winde after a thorough investigation into alleged links between gangsters and police in the province.

The investigation came after Thulare delivered a judgment in the Western Cape High Court in October last year, where he stated there was evidence that gang members had infiltrated top management structures in the police.

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