Another Free State traffic officer is in court, facing a charge of corruption arising from soliciting bribery. The provincial Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team reported that Pontsho Excellent Naile (39) was arrested in Bethlehem following complaints by a truck owner.
He appeared in the Bethlehem Magistrates’ Court today, 23 October, and was granted bail of R2 000 with the matter remanded to 6 December.
WO Fikiswa Matoti, Free State spokesperson of the Hawks, said the suspect was bust through an entrapment.
“The complainant, who owns trucks, reported to the Hawks that the traffic officer in Bethlehem, who persistently harasses his drivers, demanded money. During an operation held on 20 October, he was apprehended while in possession of the entrapment money in his vehicle.
“He demanded that the driver pay him an amount of R1 200 for him to not impound the truck,” said Matoti. She said recently, the traffic officer allegedly pulled over the complainant’s truck for inspection and issued the driver a traffic fine.
This increased the number of traffic officers arrested regarding allegations of soliciting bribes to four, seven days apart.
In an unrelated case, three female officers, Mamodiehi Pakiso Nkwinika (43), Mohapa Maggie Motaung (44), and Ditshabako Sefudi (45) appeared in the Kroonstad Magistrates’ Court on 16 October. This followed their arrest for allegedly demanding a R2 000 gratification from a truck driver instead of issuing a fine after they discovered a Road Traffic Act transgression.
The trio reportedly stopped a truck between Hennenman and Kroonstad on 14 October for a roadside inspection. The Hawks nabbed them after conducting an entrapment operation. Charged with corruption, they were granted bail of R1 000 each. Their matter was remanded to 10 November while further investigations are ongoing.
