Stock image pixabay
Two traffic officials from Groblersdal in Limpopo, who unknowingly pulled over an unmarked vehicle driven by the Hawks, appeared in court this week on corruption charges.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Mashudu Dzhangi says Eugene Masina and Jaboc Pitso pulled over the motorist as he was talking on his phone while driving.
The officials allegedly asked for a bribe of R100, the members said they did not have R100 and raised R200 among themselves before handing it over.
The NPA says as soon as the traffic officials accepted the money, they were arrested on the spot.
Masina and Pitso were arrested and charged for contravening sections 4 (a) alternatively section 3(a) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004 for accepting gratification and defeating the administration of justice.
The NPA's Dzhangi says the accused persons, who were on routine duty, acted in common purpose when they stopped the car.
She says Eugene Masina appeared before the Groblersdal Magistrates Court where bail was denied.
The court said he failed to satisfy the Magistrate that the interests of justice permit his release on bail as required by Schedule 5 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977.
Jacob Pitso, however, was granted bail of R20 000 as he was facing an offence in terms of Schedule 1 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977
The matter was postponed to 30 October 2024 for further investigations.
