Cop in dock for police clearance fraud

A Sea Point police official allegedly induced people to pay more than they had to for having police clearances couriered to them.

Cape Town – A Sea Point police official who allegedly used false pretences to induce people in need of police clearance certificates to pay more than they had to for a courier service, appeared in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Monday.

Marius Swart, 50, appeared before magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg, who warned him to appear in court again on August 28, when his trial is was likely to take the form of a plea bargain.

Prosecutor Thersia du Toit-Smit told the court she hoped to have the plea negotiations finalised when Swart again appears.

Swart faces fraud charges involving six victims and a total of R860.

According to the charge sheet, the courier service engaged by the Sea Point police to expedite applications for police clearances, charges R140 per application.

It is alleged that Swart induced one applicant to pay R450, and kept R310 for himself. Another paid R350, of which Swart allegedly kept R210 for himself.

A third paid R300, of which Swart kept R160 for himself, and three others paid R200 each, of which Swart kept a total of R180 for himself.

ANA