He is expected to appear in the Temba Magistrate Court on Friday, where he will be formally charged. He remains in custody.
The arrest followed a complaint laid by a 32-year-old woman from Makapanstad village in the North West.
The victim approached the Metro Police with a complaint that she was surprised that she had not been called-up to start training to become a Metro Police officer.
According to the Metro Police, 500 recruits started the two year training at the Tshwane Metro Police Academy at the beginning of June.
This followed a rigorous recruitment process whereupon the potential recruits underwent physical, psychometric, and medical evaluation.
"The victim claimed that she paid the suspect R6 500 in order to secure a position as one of the students," said Tshwane Metro Police spokesperson Console Tleane.
Tleane said the suspect had allegedly told her that he was a Metro Police officer who could assist her to secure a vacancy.
"We can confirm that the suspect is not a Metro Police officer," he said.
The victim was apparently surprised when she heard that potential recruits were being called-up to commence with training. Upon confronting the suspect she was told that an additional R3 000 was needed.
The Metro Police enlisted the assistance of the Hawks so that the matter could be investigated.
The suspect was then arrested at the Temba City Shopping Complex. He was found in possession of the R3 000.
If the victim's claims are true then the total money that would have been swindled from the victim would have been R9 500.
The suspect was taken to the Temba Police Station where a case of fraud, corruption and impersonating a police officer was opened against him.
The Tshwane Metro Police Department said that the public should be informed that especially young people who wish to enlist as recruits for the Metro Police course that there is no money or any form of application fee that must be paid to become a recruit.
The application process is free and should only be done at designated places, which are usually Metro Police regional offices, whenever advertisements are issued.
"We further advise interested persons never to allow themselves to be duped into making any special arrangement with any person. The recruitment process is open and transparent, and should therefore not be contaminated by elements purporting to be Metro Police officers.
Tleane warned that the Metro Police will deal harshly with any person who may wish to impersonate any of its members.
