Top cop faces probe over travel expenses

The man tasked with enforcing police discipline in the Western Cape is under investigation for allegedly swindling the force in his expense claims.

Weeks away from retirement, Brigadier Jan Solomons, provincial head of the police inspectorate in the province, faces six charges of fraud for allegedly making false vehicle claims amounting to R21522.

A criminal docket was opened at the Cape Town Central police station by a colonel in the South African Police Service on July 5 detailing Solomons's alleged false vehicle claims. The colonel asked not to be named and refused to comment, but in an affidavit accuses Solomons of "fraud, uttering and forgery".

A spokeswoman for the police, Brigadier Novela Potelwa, refused to name Solomons, but said: "This office can confirm that an investigation into allegations of fraud against a senior member of the SAPS in the Western Cape was launched. The investigation is yet to be finalised."

She said provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Arno Lamoer was "aware of the investigation against the member referred to in your e-mail".

Four days before a criminal case was opened against Solomons, Lamoer gave him the "provincial commissioner of the year award".

Solomons received the award for "good and loyal service". He is known among some police officers in Cape Town as "Lamoer's iron fist".

Solomons's job is to ensure that policing happens according to standing orders and regulations. He has been monitoring and evaluating the performance of police stations, components and units in the province, including the investigation of service delivery complaints.

The six complaints being investigated against Solomons stem from alleged false claims he made about the use of his personal vehicle, a BMW.

In all the cases Solomons allegedly used police cars with a driver, then claimed for the use of his own car.