Eight KwaZulu-Natal road-traffic inspectorate (RTI) officials were scheduled to appear in court on corruption charges on Thursday, the Natal Witness reported.
The men would appear in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court a day after police swooped on the town’s RTI offices and took them into custody.
After eight months of investigation and observing the allegedly corrupt officials, the organised crime, crime intelligence, technical support and national intervention units and the KwaZulu-Natal directorate of public prosecutions descended on the men while they were in a meeting at work.
”They were definitely shocked,” said police spokesperson Superintendent Zandra Hechter.
Police began their investigation after claims from the public that the men were accepting bribes to squash traffic fines.
”At this stage it is not clear as to the amount that was gained by the men. However, I can safely say that it is a large amount. In one instance, a complainant alleges that he paid R350. It mostly happened [at] the South Coast and motorists from all over the country were affected because a lot of motorists come to the province throughout the year,” she said.
Police are confident they will make more arrests, but need motorists to come forward with experiences of bribery.
”If people come forward, we will not arrest them for giving a bribe. They will become witnesses in the case. We are expecting that more arrests will follow regarding this matter and want to emphasise that this must serve as a warning to corrupt officials who engage in similar activities,” Hechter added.
Police have also confiscated RTI documents that could be used as evidence in the case.
If the men are convicted, they could face 15-year prison sentences.
KwaZulu-Natal transport department spokesperson Nonkululeko Mbatha applauded the arrests, saying they are an indication that the department’s anti-corruption campaigns are effective.
Mbatha said corrupt traffic officials cripple the department’s road-safety campaigns.
”If an official allows a speedster to get away after taking a bribe, he is putting other lives at risk. He is also crippling road safety by issuing fraudulent licences to incompetent drivers,” she said.
Mbatha said the department is not afraid to bring in ”new blood” that will do the job better than experienced officials who dabble in corrupt activities.
She warned offending motorists that by paying a bribe, one is risking one’s life. ”It’s not about the money — it is about road safety. If you continue speeding, you are only risking your life,” Mbatha said. — Sapa