A senior officer of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has been arrested for allegedly misappropriating state funds totaling R60,720 at the SAPS Academy, Mthatha in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
Lieutenant Colonel Bidla was taken into custody on Wednesday, March 5, 2026, by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority. He appeared briefly before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and was released on R5,000 bail.
According to Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the charges relate to a structured internal financial handover conducted in December 2025. During the handover, the academy’s Sub-section Head of Finance formally transferred financial responsibilities to Lieutenant Colonel Bidla, who serves as Head of Support Services.
As part of the process, Bidla was entrusted with two strongroom keys, one safe key, and R60,000 in state funds, along with an additional R720 from the sale of perishable groceries during the academy’s festive closure. All funds were placed under Bidla’s custodial control in the academy safe.
The alleged shortfall was discovered on February 9, 2026, when the academy commander instructed that finance duties be formally returned to the Sub-section Head of Finance. “It is alleged that when Bidla accessed the safe alone, the full amount of R60,720 was missing. No signs of forced entry or damage to the finance office were reported,” Mhlakuvana said.
The matter was subsequently referred to the Hawks, leading to Bidla’s arrest. The case has been postponed to March 24, 2026, to allow him to secure legal representation.
