NPA seeks prison sentence for former crime intelligence officer convicted of R5.59 million money laundering and fraud
The State is seeking a sentence of direct imprisonment following the conviction of former police intelligence officer Paul Scheepers on multiple serious charges, including fraud, money laundering and contraventions of key security legislation.
Scheepers, a former captain in the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence unit, was arrested in May 2015 and is out of jail on R20,000 bail.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said Scheepers was found guilty in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court of fraud, operating as an unregistered private investigator in contravention of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (PSIRA), unlawful possession of surveillance equipment under the Regulation of Interception of Communications Act (RICA), and money laundering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Ntabazalila said the fraud conviction arose from Scheepers’ failure to disclose his employment with SAPS while providing surveillance and investigative services to private entities, including Nutri Pharma Solutions, Intaka Tech and others.
“Evidence presented during the trial showed that from as early as 2003, Scheepers operated a private business, Eagle Eye Solutions, offering services as a private investigator without being registered with PSIRA and without authorisation from SAPS, despite being a serving police official. Applications he submitted to perform private work were rejected due to conflicts of interest,” said Ntabazalila.
Scheepers was also convicted for possessing and dealing in a listed surveillance device — an FTS IMSI grabber — without ministerial exemption. The device is capable of tracking and monitoring the location of individuals, vehicles or objects. This conviction marked South Africa’s first successful prosecution for possession of listed equipment under RICA.
In addition, the court found that Scheepers used multiple bank accounts to conceal approximately R5.59 million in proceeds derived from his unlawful activities, leading to his conviction on money laundering charges.
The case was prosecuted by Senior State Advocate Thersia du Toit and was marked by numerous legal challenges brought by Scheepers, including unsuccessful applications to invalidate a search warrant, halt the prosecution, and compel the declassification of alleged intelligence documents. Scheepers ultimately chose not to testify in his own defence.
Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Nicolette Bell, welcomed the convictions, describing the matter as complex and significant.
“The misuse of police authority, unauthorised private security operations, and unlawful possession of surveillance technology pose serious risks to public trust and national security,” Bell said.
“These convictions reaffirm our commitment to accountability and the rule of law, particularly among officials entrusted with sensitive intelligence responsibilities.”
The State is expected to argue that the seriousness of the offences warrants a custodial sentence during sentencing.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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