A traffic official in the West Rand is facing legal consequences for reportedly accepting a R100 bribe. The 31-year-old official came under scrutiny from the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) in April following a tip-off about corrupt practices within Metro Police, Provincial Traffic police, SAPS, and Municipal Traffic Police across Gauteng.
Warrant Officer Wendy Nkabi, spokesperson for the Hawks, revealed that a covert operation was conducted to address the reported corruption. As part of this operation, agents were dispatched to conduct buy-and-bust operations. During one such operation at the corner of N12 and R28 intersection, the suspect allegedly extorted R100 from an agent for driving a vehicle without a front number plate.
The agent reported the incident, and Hawks investigators accompanied the agent to identify the suspect. Despite attempting to evade arrest, the traffic official was pursued, apprehended, and searched. However, the money was not found in his possession.
A corruption case was registered and investigated, and the docket was subsequently forwarded to the court for a decision. The traffic official is scheduled to make his first appearance in the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court on January 16.