Three Pretoria West detectives arrested in undercover anti-corruption operation

Undercover probe leads to arrests at Pretoria West station

Three detectives attached to the Pretoria West police station were arrested on 14 May 2026 after an undercover operation by the National Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit, police confirmed.

What happened

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the detectives two sergeants and a constable are accused of extorting money from two suspects linked to a kidnapping case they were investigating.

According to a preliminary report cited by police, the arrests followed an undercover operation carried out by the National Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit on Thursday, 14 May 2026.

Next steps in the case

Van Wyk said the trio are expected to appear before the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court next week on charges of corruption and extortion.

Related development: Mpumalanga extortion matter

Police also confirmed a linked development in Mpumalanga: a fourth suspect wanted in connection with an extortion case involving taxi boss Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni handed himself over to police in Mpumalanga and will make his first appearance in court on Friday.

The taxi boss, Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni, and co-accused Mvimbi Daniel Masilela and Philemon Msiza were arrested earlier this week and are facing extortion and money-laundering charges.

Earlier court appearances and allegations

Sibanyoni appeared at the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on 13 May 2026 after being arrested by the Special Task Force in Pretoria on Tuesday morning. Two other people were arrested alongside him.

It is alleged the accused extorted money, reportedly R2 million, from a businessman over a prolonged period. The businessman opened a case at the Kwaggafontein police station in 2025.

Comments from Sibanyoni

Addressing the media from inside the courtroom, Sibanyoni said:

“I’m feeling alright. We preach, you know? I am now preaching in prison. I’m not involved with this case. For now, I am preaching because there are prisoners in jail and in court. We are continuing with the word of God. It’s just time for me to preach in jail. That’s it.”

When pressed on whether he maintains his innocence, Sibanyoni responded: “I am a man of God.”

Why this matters for Joburg readers

The arrests highlight ongoing anti-corruption activity by specialised units within the police and the risks of corruption within investigations. While the detectives are attached to Pretoria West, the involvement of national units and arrests across provinces underline the cross-border nature of major inquiries that can affect policing and public confidence in the region.

What to watch

• Appearance of the three Pretoria West detectives at the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court next week.
• First appearance of the fourth suspect in Mpumalanga on Friday.
• Further court proceedings involving Joe ‘Ferrari’ Sibanyoni and his co-accused.

Notes: Source reporting from The Citizen. Full article: https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/crime/pretoria-west-detectives-arrested-corruption-and-extortion/