Six police officers arrested for alleged theft from shebeen in Cape Town
Six police officers arrested for allegedly stealing alcohol from a shebeen.
Image: file
Police have arrested and charged six of their members with charges relating to housebreaking and theft after they allegedly broke into a shebeen and removed the alcohol inside but failed to book it in as evidence.
Police confirmed that one sergeant and five constables were arrested on Monday following an investigation by the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit. They are expected to make their first appearance at the Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday on charges of housebreaking and theft.
Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk explained: “This office can confirm that six members, including a sergeant and five constables aged between 25 and 36, were arrested by members of the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit on Monday on a warrant of arrest for charges of housebreaking and theft at Mfuleni SAPS.
“They are due to appear at Blue Downs Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday) for the charges mentioned.”
It is understood that the officers had allegedly visited the premises and climbed through the window before leaving with several bottles of liquor but did not book it in as evidence or record it as an inquiry.
The news comes just days after the Cape Argus revealed that 164 police officers have been convicted of various crimes in the last ten years, ranging from murder to attempted murder, with many still being under the employment of the SAPS.
The alarm was raised by the DA’s MP, Nicholas Gotsell, who has since called on police management to investigate the disciplinary processes which may not have been finalised.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) revealed that as of March 31, 2026, it secured 85 criminal convictions, with the case driver being death due to police action, 27 of assault, and nine of rape.
Lizzy Suping, Director of Communications and Marketing spokesperson for IPID, said that as of 31 March 2026, IPID secured 85 criminal convictions. “Our case driver has been death due to police action, assault, and the discharge of an official firearm.
“We have recorded 27 convictions for assault, 27 for death due to police action, and 11 for the discharge of an official firearm. It should also be noted that out of 85 convictions, nine were for rape by an officer.”
Cape Argus has since reached out to IPID for their response to the arrests.