Three metro cops arrested after corruption and bribery incident
Officials ‘solicited’ R20k from Congolese national
Three Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers were nabbed yesterday for alleged bribery and corruption at the Wemmer complex in Selby.
The officers allegedly solicited a bribe from a Congolese shop owner in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, a week ago.
Johannesburg metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said the officers allegedly demanded a R20,000 bribe from the shop owner who had been suspected of manufacturing fake ID documents at his place of business.
Minnaar said the shop owner could only pay R5,000 at the time and promised to settle the balance later.
The man then reported the matter to the JMPD’s internal affairs unit.
An investigation was then conducted and it confirmed that the officers in question were indeed part of the alleged criminal act.
Minnaar said the suspects – two women and a man – could face dismissal after a procedural inquiry.
“They were being detained at the Hillbrow police station where they were charged,” said Minnaar, adding that three other officers will also be arrested on the same charge when they return from leave.
“The JMPD will not tolerate corruption and we will arrest and dismiss any official who goes against the expected conduct,” he said.
Minnaar said that since December, 19 officials have been suspended after being charged internally for various corruption and misconduct offences.
Internal affairs spokesperson Sam Sethagu said officers are recruited and placed to serve and protect the public – not to promote corruption and take money from citizens.