Tshwane metro police officer drives motorist to withdraw a ‘bribe’

The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) has launched an internal investigation after a video surfaced showing an officer allegedly demanding a bribe from a motorist.

On Tuesday, 5 November, TMPD said the implicated member would be served with a notice of intention to suspend. He is also required to furnish the department with reasons why he should not be suspended within 48 hours.

TSHWANE METRO COP ALLEGEDLY TRANSPORTS WOMAN TO WITHDRAW BRIBE

In the video circulating on social media, a woman whom the bribe is reportedly being solicited from is seated in a passenger seat with several R50 and R100 notes and a bank card. She then shows the Tshwane metro cop driving in what appears to be a TMPD vehicle.

TMPD spokesperson Isaac Mahamba said a statement from the complainant and the implicated metro cop is required as part of the investigation process.

Mahamba said these accusations of corruption are incompatible with the department’s beliefs and principles and will be handled decisively.

OFFICERS PUSH BACK AGAINST MEASURES TO CURB CORRUPTION

In 2023, then-MMC for Community Safety, Grandi Theunissen said he was deeply concerned about indications that there was active resistance against measures being put in place to restore discipline and ethics within the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD).

At the time, the City of Tshwane had given the public a right to request an officer’s appointment certificate, take a photo of the officer, their vehicle and also film the interaction. This was in response to the high number of alleged extortion and harassment cases opened against TMPD officers.