Former Upington Police Finance Boss Convicted Of R1.2m Fraud
Former South African Police Service (SAPS) lieutenant colonel Pieter Andries Nel has been convicted of 160 charges after admitting to defrauding the police of more than R1.2 million.
Nel, who previously served as Head of Financial Services for SAPS in the ZF Mgcawu District, pleaded guilty in the Upington Serious Commercial Crimes Court to 80 counts of fraud and 80 counts of money laundering.
The court heard that between 2022 and 2024, Nel created and authorised fraudulent payments to service providers, as well as false subsistence and travel claims. The funds, totalling more than R1.2 million, were paid into his personal bank account.
SAPS discharged Nel from the service on 12 September 2024 following an internal disciplinary process. The police service subsequently recovered R1,258,636.88 from his pension.
Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation officers arrested Nel at his Upington home on 28 May 2025 on a J50 warrant.
Northern Cape Hawks Provincial Head Major General Stephen Mabuela commended the investigating and prosecuting teams for securing the conviction.
Mabuela said police officers were expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and encouraged members experiencing financial or other pressures to make use of SAPS Employee Health and Wellness services.
Nel’s case has been postponed to 2 December 2026 for sentencing.
