Cops in court for soliciting a bribe
2014-07-28 20:36
Johannesburg - Two police constables appeared
in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Monday for allegedly soliciting a bribe,
Mpumalanga police said.
"It is alleged that the two members
solicited a bribe from an apparent drunk driver involved in an accident,"
Colonel Leonard Hlathi said.
On Saturday, police constables Thulani Mathe,
35, and Walter Nxumayo, 32, were in the parking lot of a shopping centre in
Nelspruit when they allegedly demanded R1 000.
"Mathe and Nxumayo apparently told the
young man that he will not be taken for blood tests if he gave them the
money," Hlathi said.
The driver paid R400, and in exchange the
policemen allegedly let him go home.
The White River K9 Unit received a tip off
about the alleged corruption and Mathe and Nxumayo's car was stopped and then
escorted to Nelspruit police station.
Mathe and Nxumayo were questioned and
searched, but the R400 was not found.
A police captain intervened and decided to
arrest the constables, following a preliminary investigation.
Mathe allegedly assaulted the captain, and so
faces a charge of assault in addition to the corruption charge he and Nxumayo
face.
The men would apply for bail on Tuesday.
- SAPA
