Another FHM model does it on twitter

Sabina Essa tweeted about her bribe of a policeman. She later denied it happened.

Sabina Essa tweeted about her bribe of a policeman. She later denied it happened.

Published May 23, 2012

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Theresa Taylor

JOHANNESBURG: Another FHM model has done a “Jessica Leandra” and embarrassed herself on Twitter, not with a racial slur but by bragging about bribing a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officer.

Corruption Watch has reported that Sabina Essa boasted on Twitter, saying: “Just got out of a R2 500 fine for going 140 in a 60 zone. R30! Bwahahahaha. I LOVE JMPD.”

When another Twitter user asked her whether she offered the bribe, she tweeted: “I didn’t offer, dumb-ass. They asked what I had. Of course, I’m gonna take the offer.”

Essa’s tweet caught the attention of Justice Project SA and has led to her being named Corruption Watch’s Zero of the week.

“When I saw the tweet, I was horrified that anyone could boast about paying a bribe on a social network and equally surprised that any traffic cop would accept a bribe of only R30 for a serious offence for which they are compelled to arrest the perpetrator,” said Justice Project SA chairman Howard Dembovsky.

He said he had contacted the model, who told him the Tweet had been posted to seek “some attention” from her Twitter followers.

According to Dembovsky, Essa cried during the conversation and sounded worried that the rest of her life could be affected by this “stupid prank”.

“She started off the conversation being very apologetic.

“But as she continued it became apparent that she was in a flat panic over the consequences that this could have for her and for her planned career

as an attorney,” Dembovsky said.

After their discussion, Essa tweeted: “So sorry for my tweet. I fabricated the story to attract attention, we sometimes all do it and (I am) super-embarrassed.”

Corruption Watch says when it contacted Essa to find out what happened, she denied the incident had taken place.

“Kindly do your research. That didn’t in fact happen. Don’t contact me again,” she tweeted.

Essa has since deleted all the Tweets relating to this matter.

Dembovsky said although she had told him her Tweet was a lie and intended only to gain attention, “we have to question why anyone would think it would be ‘cool’ to tweet something like that – true or not. The thought of anyone boasting about paying a bribe is morally reprehensible.”

Corruption Watch and Justice Project SA condemn the soliciting and paying of bribes.

“If we want to fight corruption effectively, then citizens and those in positions of power, whether in government or business, should play their part by refusing to bribe,” said Bongi Mlangeni, speaking for Corruption Watch.

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