The Western Cape police are investigating claims that nearly 3 000 litres of diesel were purchased from a filling station owned by alleged organised crime couple Ralph Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson. The purchases were made by the South African Police Service (SAPS) during loadshedding between September 2022 and March 2023. The John Ramsay service station in Cape Town's Bishop Lavis suburb is at the centre of the probe.
According to reports, the SAPS made several purchases from the service station, including one instance where the Bishop Lavis Police Training Academy bought normal coastal diesel for R123 per litre, almost five times the average retail price of R24.83. The transactions have raised concerns about the integrity of SAPS procurement processes and the effectiveness of internal financial controls.
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has expressed serious concern over the allegations, saying they raise fundamental questions about the procurement processes and due diligence conducted before public funds were committed. POPCRU national spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said the allegations, if substantiated, would point to potentially serious financial misconduct and possible abuse of public resources.
Mamabolo added that investigations must follow the decision-making chain and establish responsibility at every level, including officials who approved suppliers, authorised expenditure, and exercised financial oversight. He emphasised that accountability should not be selectively directed at junior officials who merely implement instructions.
The alleged irregular expenditure includes purchases made by several police stations, with the Nyanga Police Station spending R38 131.64, the Lentegeur Police Station R19 764, and the Bishop Lavis Police Academy R130 587.10. Western Cape SAPS has launched an inquiry to establish the facts and determine whether the matter warrants a criminal investigation.
ActionSA Cape Town spokesperson Anslin Gysman said SAPS needed to investigate the transactions and the procurement process that was followed. Gysman expressed concern that the police were handing public money to businesses allegedly connected to organised crime networks they are investigating.
National police spokesperson Amanda Van Wyk said SAPS is looking into the matter. The investigation aims to uncover the facts and determine whether any SAPS officials knowingly facilitated irregular procurement arrangements.
Key points
- Western Cape police investigate diesel purchases from service station linked to alleged underworld figures.
- SAPS made several purchases from the service station during loadshedding between September 2022 and March 2023.
- The alleged irregular expenditure includes purchases made by several police stations, totalling hundreds of thousands of rand.
