The national organised crime head of the detective service, Assistant Commissioner Albert Eksteen, has been arrested for fraud involving about R40 000 at the department's headquarters on Tuesday morning, said police.
Eksteen, who was suspended without pay earlier in June, is alleged to have submitted false travelling claims worth R40 000 to the detective unit between 1999 and 2000, said Divisional Commissioner Johan de Beer, who heads the Detective Service.
A warrant for Eksteen's arrest was issued by a magistrate in Pretoria on Monday.
Eksteen was called into the station on Tuesday morning, where he was arrested.
De Beer said Eksteen's arrest came after "intensive investigations" conducted by assistant commissioner Johann Ackermann.
"This will send a clear message to both serving members and the public that the South African Police Service is committed towards uprooting acts of criminality and corruption within its ranks," said De Beer.
Eksteen was to appear in the Commercial Crime Court in Pretoria, where he is expected to apply for bail. - Sapa