KwaZulu-Natal - A Road Traffic Inspectorate officer was arrested for allegedly taking a bribe from a taxi owner in the Pinetown area, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Tuesday.
The 44-year-old woman was arrested on Monday, Captain Thulani Zwane said.
On October 31, a taxi driver was stopped in the Pinetown area by an on duty traffic officer who was conducting her routine duties.
“His taxi was searched and found to have defaults. The driver was issued with a traffic summons of R600,” Zwane said.
Afterwards, the taxi was impounded. The officer allegedly demanded R1000 to release the taxi, but the driver but could only afford to pay R300.
Zwane said an arrangement was made that the taxi owner would meet the officer at a later date to pay the balance.
The taxi boss reported the matter to the police and a sting operation was conducted, which led to the arrest of the officer.
Police found R700 in the woman's vehicle, ID books, passports, taxi permits, quashed traffic summons, application forms for learner's drivers with photos and some personal documents belonging to the officer.
The officer has been charged with corruption and will appear in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. - Sapa