Mthatha officer in alleged bribe out on R500 bail

AN MTHATHA traffic officer arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court last week and was granted bail.

According to the charge sheet, Nolitha Tengani accepted a R500 bribe near Ultra City in Mthatha on Wednesday. She was subsequently charged with corruption.

On Thursday, magistrate Nomahobe Mbalo granted Tengani R500 bail.

Provincial Arrive Alive spokesman Tshepo Machaea said traffic officers were expected to wear their uniforms with pride.

“We present a certain authority and people should learn to respect that,” Machaea said.

Transport department spokesperson Ncedo Kumbaca said the department regarded the allegations in a serious light, and said officers were expected to play an exemplary role.

He also urged members of the public to refrain from bribing or attempting to bribe officers.

“We have adopted a zero tolerance approach to this. The department has internal processes we need follow,” he added.

Mthatha police spokesperson LieutenantColonel Mzukisi Fatyela said Tengani was alleged to have asked for the bribe after finding that a trailer being towed by a car was unlicensed.

The matter was postponed to July 13. — siyab@dispatch.co.za