A 30-year-old South African Police Service (SAPS) SAPS Official Page constable and her 32-year-old civilian co-accused are expected to appear in the Dealesville Magistrate’s Court in the Free State on Tuesday, following their arrest on four counts of corruption.

The constable, who is attached to the Dealesville SAPS Crime Prevention unit, was apprehended early Tuesday morning after authorities executed a warrant for her arrest.

Her co-accused, identified as the local Youth League chairperson, was arrested shortly afterward by members of the Provincial Commissioner’s Anti-Corruption Unit in the Free State.

The arrests stem from an official investigation into an incident on 27 May 2026.

It is alleged that the constable, who was on annual leave at the time, teamed up with the Youth League chairperson to target several foreign-owned spaza shops in the Dealesville area.

According to authorities, the duo allegedly demanded donations from the shop owners under false pretenses.

They reportedly claimed that police reinforcements from Bloemfontein were arriving to protect the businesses from potential looting and required food supplies.

While one shop owner complied with the demand providing a donation of chicken and soft drinksot, ohers refused to hand over anything without an official authorization letter from the local Station Commander.

The fraudulent operation unraveled when suspicious shop owners reported the matter to a passing police officer. Subsequent investigations confirmed that the Station Commander had absolutely no knowledge of the solicitation.

Investigators later discovered that the extorted food items had been taken to a private residence, where they were prepared and consumed by the suspects.

The South African Police Service in the Free State Province has reiterated its zero-tolerance approach toward corruption within its ranks.

Both suspects remain in police custody ahead of their initial court appearance.

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