Key Points
- Colonel Logan Govender arrested for seizing goods worth R165,000.
- Du Plooy impersonated an expert to help Govender steal from a shop.
- The shop owner uncovered the fraud and took legal action.
Colonel Logan Govender, the station commander of Norwood Police Station in Gauteng, was arrested on Tuesday by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit.
He faces charges of theft, fraud, and defeating justice. These charges stem from his illegal confiscation of goods worth R165,000.
Fraudulent operation exposes police commander’s crime
The incident began on August 21, 2020. Govender, with the help of civilian Oelof Abraham Du Plooy, orchestrated a fake operation.
Du Plooy impersonated an expert in illicit cigarettes from Adams and Adams Company. Together, they approached a shop owner, claiming to have received a Crime Intelligence tip about illegal activities at the store.
At the shop, Govender introduced himself, conducted a search, and seized Al Fakher molasses flavors worth R165,000.
However, they did not arrest the shop owner or open a criminal case. Instead, they registered the goods with SAPS Johannesburg Central and handed them to Du Plooy, falsely claiming the items would undergo testing.
Shop owner uncovers fraud and takes legal action
The next day, the shop owner grew concerned when he could not locate his goods at the police station.
He then discovered that Du Plooy was not a legitimate employee of Adams and Adams. Realizing the fraud, the shop owner filed a case with authorities.
The Gauteng Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit took charge of the investigation and gathered evidence against Govender and Du Plooy. The Director of Public Prosecutions later authorized their prosecution.
Govender was arrested during a meeting in Protea, Soweto. After his arrest, he appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court and received bail set at R3,000. His case will be heard on May 29, 2025.
