Metro cop arrested

A Tshwane metro police (TMPD) officer, who had escorted a motorist to an ATM for bribe money, was caught and arrested by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) yesterday.

The RTMC, along with police and the Gauteng traffic department, pounced on the officer at the Centurion TMPD regional office after he returned from a patrol.

The arrest of the 45-yearold constable came after he and a colleague allegedly stopped a motorist on the Brakfontein Road in June on allegations that he skipped a red robot, RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said.

“They inspected the vehicle and couldn’t find anything wrong.

“The motorist didn’t have a licence on him and they demanded a bribe. He told them he had R20 but the officers rejected it.”

The officers then allegedly suggested a R1 000 bribe, Zwane explained, and took the motorist to an ATM at Grey Owl Shopping Centre.

“The motorist withdrew the money and gave it to them. They took the money and the motorist then lodged a complaint.

“We have been trying to get footage and information since June, which finally came together last week,” Zwane said.

He said investigations would continue as the officer refused to disclose who he was working with on the day of the incident.

Tshwane metro police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba said the fight against corruption was working, as corruption had decreased.

“Most of our members have now realised that it’s not good to be involved in corruption. It is only a few of our members who don’t want to change their behaviour.”