By Everson Luhanga
Eleven traffic officers were arrested for bribery and corruption after a lengthy undercover operation by the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit and provincial detectives.
These officers allegedly took bribes to ignore traffic violations and other illegal activities by drivers.
Road Traffic Management Corporation spokesperson Simon Zwane said the Anti-Corruption Unit and the SAPS arrested the traffic officers in Polokwane on Friday.
“The suspects were arrested on allegations that they had been taking bribes from bus operators, taxi drivers and motorists travelling on the N1 highway between Polokwane and Musina,” said Zwane.
“The officials have been under investigation since March 2022 as part of an undercover operation called ‘Coconut’, which targeted law enforcement officials involved in unethical and unlawful conduct leading to many crashes on the N1.”
Zwane said the investigation showed that traffic officers working along the N1 freeway and those from towns and villages were leaving their regular duties to participate in corrupt activities.
“It is alleged that the officers stopped motorists and conducted inspections, but they would demand bribes instead of issuing traffic fines when they found faults with the vehicles or driving licences,” he said.
“An undercover operation to prevent, detect or investigate the commission of an offence was conducted after entrapment permission was obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions.”
The suspects are expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court soon to face charges of defeating the ends of justice, extortion and taking bribes from motorists, bus operators, and malaichas [vehicles transporting goods to Zimbabwe] along the N1 and other routes.
Pictured above: The 11 arrested traffic officials.
Source: RTMC
