In Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, nine traffic officers have been arrested as part of a pre-festive season effort to address fraud and corruption in law enforcement.
Nine traffic officers arrested for soliciting bribes
In Tshwane, two officers from the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) were caught soliciting a R1 500 bribe from a taxi driver. The taxi driver reported the incident to the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU), leading to a successful sting operation and the officers’ subsequent arrest.
They are expected to appear in court today on charges of corruption.
In a separate incident in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, seven traffic officers were arrested. This group included five officers from the provincial Road Traffic Inspectorate and two from the Newcastle municipality.
The arrests were the result of a joint operation by NTACU and the Hawks, following public complaints about the conduct of these officers.
An undercover operation led to their arrest on charges of fraud and corruption.
The RTMC has reported that these arrests are part of ongoing efforts to tackle corruption within law enforcement. All suspects are scheduled to appear in court today for their bail applications.
“These incidents highlight the ongoing battle against corruption in South Africa, particularly within law enforcement agencies. NTACU continues to work tirelessly to root out corrupt officials and restore public trust in traffic law enforcement,: the RTMC said
These arrests in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal come amidst broader efforts to address corruption within traffic law enforcement, particularly in the lead-up to the busy festive season.