High-ranking cops dismissed after being found guilty of tender fraud

Despite a threat of defamation action from attorneys, Manikam Govender and Associates, representing former high-ranking police officers involved in the police station procurement scandal, the Rising Sun Community Newspapers believes it is in the public interest to report on the outcome of the hearing.

The high-ranking husband and wife police couple were dismissed from the police service after being found guilty of corruption and defeating the ends of justice in connection with a R330, 000 tender.

This is according to media reports by City Press, which stated that Col Ivan Pillay, who was the provincial head of procurement along with his wife, Cpt Soni Pillay, who headed procurement at the Chatsworth SAPS, allegedly rigged tender processes to benefit their preferred contractor.

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The report went on to allege that the couple’s meddling in the tender to erect a barbed wire fence at the Chatsworth station resulted in the side-lining of a contractor, who quoted R249, 000 in favour of a supplier, who charged R330, 000.

It was further alleged from media reports that the couple removed the initial quotation from the system and instructed junior staff members to deny ever receiving the document. The article further stated that the provincial human resources department at the SAPS confirmed the couple’s dismissal and noted that their salaries and benefits were terminated on May 19.

The source, who provided City Press with the relevant information, alleged that the couple should have been charged in 2022, but were protected from high up. This story, which has already made its rounds on social media, sent shockwaves throughout the community, which called for legal charges to be brought against the couple.

An email from the couple’s attorney, Devashin Manikam Govender, of Montford, Chatsworth, was sent to the group editor of the Rising Sun Community Newspapers on June 6. The subject line read, ‘Urgent notice to cease and desist from unlawful publication’.

The email stated, ‘The above and our confirmation that we act for Ivan and Soni Pillay. (Hereinafter referred to as ‘our clients’). We record the following inter alia: The author of this letter hereof writes to you regarding your possible intention to publish an article concerning our clients’ dismissal from the South African Police Service (SAPS). I have received information that your publication is preparing to report on the above matter, which includes private and sensitive employment details that may either be inaccurate, misleading, or presented out of context. This letter serves as a formal cease and desist notice. We hereby demand that you refrain from publishing any article about our client or their former employment with SAPS unless: A: You can demonstrate that the information is factually accurate, B: It was obtained lawfully and ethically, and C: It does not constitute an unlawful invasion of privacy, defamation, or breach of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). The planned publication may amount to a violation of our clients’ rights to privacy and dignity as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Our instructions are that if inaccurate or defamatory statements are published, our clients will not hesitate to pursue urgent legal action, including but not limited to applying for an interdict and seeking damages for the harm caused to their reputation and livelihoods as the matter is still sub judice and being dealt with at the appropriate forum. In the interest of fairness and responsible journalism, we also request the opportunity to review and respond to any content involving our clients before publication. Should I not receive confirmation from your office by the close of business on June 6, 2025, we shall approach the High Court on an urgent basis for the relevant and necessary relief without further notice to you.”

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When contacted by the Rising Sun, provincial police spokesperson, Col Robert Netshiunda, confirmed that he was aware of the incident, and stated, “I cannot comment as it is an internal affair.”

When the Rising Sun team brought up the fact that this investigation and its results should be public knowledge as the SAPS is a public institution and the police are accountable, he mentioned once more that this was an internal matter, and could not comment. Col Netshiunda added that an email should be sent to the police to obtain more information, however, despite doing this, no further response was received.