‘Drunk’ traffic cop in court
Herald Correspondent
Source: The Herald Online
East London – An off-duty provincial traffic officer was arrested for drunken driving and other charges after he allegedly asked a motorist for a bribe in Zwelitsha.
Xolani Silo was arrested by about 40 members of the public.
He appeared in the Zwelitsha magistrate’s court on charges of drunken driving, misuse of a state vehicle, two counts of escaping lawful arrest and bribery. He was later released on R500 bail.
Provincial transport spokesman Tshepo Machaea said Mr Silo would face a departmental disciplinary hearing.
Mr Silo allegedly accused a driver of having an overloaded vehicle, and then tried to solicit a bribe from him.
“He was apparently drunk and using a state vehicle with the blue lights flashing. He was also not in uniform,” Mr Machaea said. The vehicle he was using was allegedly blocking the road in an attempt to hold a roadblock.
He was taken to the Zwelitsha police station, where he fled and was later recaptured by members of the public.
