Cop demands E15 000 bribe from
MATSAPHA – A businessman was held at gunpoint in his offices in Matsapha by a police officer who was demanding money in order not to arrest him.
The cop was with two others who had remained in the police vehicle the trio was travelling in.
The South African businessman, *Muzi, whose name has been deliberately withheld, was last Wednesday held to ransom by the police officer based at Mpolonjeni Police Post (Hhohho Region) in Matsapha as the law enforcer demanded that he pay him about E15 000.
The police officer reportedly said he was investigating how some senior employees of the entrepreneur had been awarded work permits. According to sources, the officer arrived at the business location of the entrepreneur just before noon.
Travelling
He was travelling in a Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) van registered GSD 718 PO and was in the company of two other police officers who were in uniform.
The two officers were said to have not alighted from the vehicle but parked outside the business premises as their colleague proceeded to seek the whereabouts of Muzi.
It was established that Muzi was inside his office going about his daily routine when the law enforcer entered. The sources said when the police officer, who was wearing a black suit entered the office, he introduced himself.
Investigating
“The policeman introduced himself and said he was investigating an issue with the Home Affairs Department and needed to know how some of the managers were awarded work permits and who was the contact at the offices (Home Affairs),” said a source.
The businessman, according to the source, requested to see his (law enforcers) identification. However, the sources claimed that the police officer showed Muzi his gun and said it was his identification.
Ordinarily, police officers when seeking to engage an individual while under their scope of duties, have to identify themselves thereby ensuring people their comfort and safety. In doing this, the law enforcer has to present an identity document (ID) badge. The ID badge is a mandatory element for police officers and helps public entities to easily and quickly recognise law enforcement officers.
Meanwhile, according to the sources, the police officer went on to volunteer that he could make the issue go away if the businessman could offer him E15 000.
The sources claimed that the police officer was carrying a file containing documents that were submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs when Muzi’s company applied for work permits for some of the managers.
The sources said the businessman acknowledged the names of the personnel of his company, which were read to him by the police officer. However, for the conversation and the police officer’s investigation to proceed, Muzi was said to have requested to take a picture of him (law enforcer) as he also wanted to call police officers based at Matsapha Police Station to be party to what was happening.
During this period, the sources said the law enforcer pulled out his gun and pointed it at Muzi while retreating towards the exit. The sources claimed that Muzi exhibited bravery as he followed the police officer and requested that he wait for other law enforcers so that the matter could be resolved.
However, it was gathered that the law enforcer bolted out of the business complex and ordered his colleagues to drive out of the compound. The sources said the police officer in formal wear ran past the vehicle driven by his colleagues and at that instance, people within the yard captured