Cape Town Officer Dismissed, Then Found Back at Work | News24

A police constable previously reported as dismissed from the South African Police Service (SAPS) was allegedly found working at a Cape Town police station, prompting accusations of deception and manipulation of disciplinary processes against Western Cape police leadership.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) brought the matter to light, stating that the constable, who has a “long record of disciplinary issues,” was identified while on duty despite official records indicating his dismissal. Parliament had been informed of the constable’s dismissal in a written reply from the SAPS, according to the DA.

“What we have is a clear indication of a pattern of deception and disciplinary manipulation emanating from the Western Cape Provincial Police Head Office, led by Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Thembisile Patekile,” said the DA in a statement. The party alleges a systemic issue within the provincial police structure.

The DA’s claims follow a similar incident highlighted earlier this year, where questions were raised about the reinstatement of officers with disciplinary records. The party contends that this latest case reinforces concerns about the integrity of disciplinary procedures within the Western Cape SAPS.

The Democratic Alliance governs both the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape province, holding a majority in the Cape Town City Council since 2006 and in the Western Cape provincial legislature since 2009. The party’s criticisms of the SAPS leadership come amid broader concerns about crime and security in the region, with the DA asserting that the Western Cape is “under siege.”

As of Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the SAPS has not publicly responded to the DA’s allegations. The DA has demanded a full investigation into the matter and a transparent accounting of the constable’s employment status and the disciplinary processes followed in his case.

The DA has indicated it will pursue the matter further in Parliament, seeking answers from the national police leadership regarding the discrepancies between official reports and the alleged presence of the dismissed constable at a functioning police station.