A senior police officer appeared in the Springbok Magistrates Court in Nothern Cape on charges of theft. Lieutenant Colonel Nomvula Jacobs (49) was arrested on Tuesday by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team after she allegedly stole money from the Springbok Police Station safe, where exhibits are kept.

Jacobs is accused of stealing an amount of R291 700 from the SAP13 safe. The Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said Jacobs was serving as the acting station commander of Springbok SAPS when the crime was committed. "The amount she allegedly stole is made up of R102 700, which was confiscated on an ongoing enquiry matter. The money was supposed to be deposited into a criminal asset recovery account (CARA) after a High Court recently issued an order to that effect. The balance of R189 000 is made up of other matters which are still pending," Thebe said. He added that the investigation team made the discovery after several attempts were made to access the safe, but the key was missing. The safe was finally opened on Wednesday, 30 August 2023 resulting in the case of theft being opened against the acting station commander.

On hearing the news of Jacobs's arrest, Provincial Head of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Stephen Mabuela said he was disappointed. General Mabuela said if Jacobs was somehow going through financial difficulties, she should have sought help from the SAPS's Employee Health and Wellness unit, which assists members who are going through difficulties. "Employee Health and Wellness should be the first port of call when our employees go through any kind of distress," he said. Jacobs was released on R4 000 bail. The matter was postponed to 02 October for further investigation. Jacobs has been suspended.