Eleven traffic officers were arrested in Polokwane on Friday by the Road Traffic Management Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) and the SAPS on corruption charges.
The officers have been under investigation since March 2022 as part of the undercover operation “coconut” which targeted law enforcement officials involved in unethical and unlawful conduct.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the officers were arrested on allegations that they had been taking bribes from bus operators, taxi drivers and motorists travelling on the N1 between Polokwane and Musina.
“An investigation by the NTACU of the RTMC has so far revealed that traffic officials operating along the N1 freeway and those inside towns and villages abandon their duties and drive to the N1 to carry out corrupt activities. It is alleged that the officers stop motorists and conduct inspections, but demand bribes instead of issuing a traffic fine when they found faults with the vehicles or driving licences,” their statement read.
An undercover operation to prevent, detect or investigate the commission of an offence was conducted after an entrapment permission was obtained from the Director of Public Prosecution.
“The suspects were identified after a lengthy investigation involving provincial detectives of the Limpopo SAPS. The suspects are expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court soon to face charges relating to defeating the ends of justice, extortion, and solicitation of bribes from motorists, bus driver operators and long-distance operators.”
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The RTMC says the arrest of more officials has not been ruled out at this stage as investigations continue.
The Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye welcomes the arrest.
“The department views these charges in the most serious light and these arrests must send a strong message to other officials not to commit similar transgressions. These are serious allegations that undermine government efforts to promote and maintain road safety,” she said.
Mathye has also distanced the department from the suspects’ unethical behaviour, stating, that “they did so for their own selfish gratification.”
The department is set to enforce its own internal disciplinary measures in light of these arrests.
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