A vehicle-testing station owner has appeared in the King William’s Town Magistrate’s Court for allegedly trying to bribe an Eastern Cape transport official, the provincial transport department said on Thursday.
Johannesburg businessman Haron Bhika appeared in court on Tuesday charged with corruption, said Eastern Cape traffic control deputy director Mqondisi Kulati.
He was released on bail of R1 500 and the case was postponed until February 8.
Kulati said Bhika operated 15 private vehicle-testing stations around the country.
Police and transport officials raided his Mthatha Roadworthy Centre on December 19 after it was found to have issued fake roadworthy certificates for vehicles from KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
Four employees were arrested and appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court.
Bhika is accused of trying to bribe Kulati — who was involved in the raid — through a middleman, Mohammed Timol, who was allegedly instructed to pay him R5 000 to stop the closure of the centre.
Timol appeared in court in King William’s Town a week ago on similar charges.
Kulati said Bhika had been given 21 days to explain why the centre should not be permanently closed. That decision would rest with the provincial minister of transport. — Sapa