An investigation is underway after a female Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officer was filmed asking for a bribe to release a truck allegedly impounded for breaking lockdown rules.
The officer allegedly arrested the driver and impounded the truck accusing the driver of carrying non-essential goods thereby breaking lockdown rules.
However, the owner disputed this and told the officer that the truck had passed through three roadblocks and used the same permit she was refusing to accept.
“On the border, the SARS officers are there and processed the truck, before they could give it permission to get into South Africa,” said the truck owner.
He said if the goods were not allowed because of COVID-19 circumstances, they would have not allowed them to pass through.
When he [truck owner] arrived at the police station he was asked to pay a bribe but his offer of R200 was too small for the EMPD officer.
“I told them I had only R200, they were very angry. They sent me to the ATM.”
He said that when he eventually gave her a sum of R1 500, he got his driver and the truck back.
“The truck is already on the way to Durban to deliver the goods,” he said.
Police spokesman, Captain Mavela Masondo said the matter was brought to the attention of the Anti-Corruption Unit of the SAPS.
“We’ve opened an inquiry into alleged corruption and will be obtaining statements from the suspects.”
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