Durban - Two Chatsworth municipal officials have been arrested for extortion, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Thursday.
The pair was taken into custody on Wednesday, after a tip-off from a consumer whose electricity had been cut off due to an outstanding bill of R35 000, Colonel Jay Naicker said.
“The two officials allegedly told the victim that he should give them R3 000 for them to re-connect his electricity and clear the debt.”
The consumer reported this to the Montclair police station, which alerted the Durban organised crime unit.
A sting operation was set up and the consumer paid the said amount.
The two, aged 37 and 48, were then arrested and charged with extortion.
Provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended the consumer for coming forward.
“Those that pay bribes to public officials are just as guilty as those that accept bribes. Members of the community should not allow corruption to erode the moral fibre of society,” she said.
Sapa