Klerksdorp – A municipal traffic officer from Klerksdorp was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly soliciting bribes, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said.
“The officer was arrested by an undercover member of the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) on Leemhuis street next to Oleander Park old age home where he was conducting a speed law enforcement operation,” RTMC spokesman Simon Zwane said.
“The traffic officer allegedly demanded a R150 bribe from an undercover agent after he had stopped the agent for exceeding the speed limit and driving without a driving licence.”
The traffic officer, employed by the City of Matlosana, was expected to make an appearance in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Zwane said it was the second arrest made by the RTMC through its anti-corruption unit since the start of the festive season.
Last month, a Tshwane metro police seargeant, Sebo Mathabatha, was arrested, also for allegedly soliciting a bribe from an undercover operative from the unit.
RTMC chief executive officer Makhosini Msibi warned traffic officials that there would no mercy given to those involved in corruption.
“Society demands that law enforcement officers should conduct themselves ethically at all times and that harsh punishment should be meted out to those who conduct themselves in a corrupt manner,” said Msibi.
“We have an obligation to meet these noble expectations from the community and we will not hesitate to deal with those who bring the name of traffic law enforcement officers into disrepute.”
African News Agency
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