After confronting a police officer accused of extorting a motorist, community crime activist Andre Snyman has started working with SAPS anti-corruption investigators. 

Snyman, the founder of eBlockwatch, was captured on video demanding that a female police officer return R2 000 she had allegedly taken from a driver at a roadblock in Diepsloot on Saturday (June 6). 

In an interview with Network News, Snyman said he was contacted by the driver, who is a member of his crime group, prompting him to go to the scene. 

Alleged extortion 

“The man who contacted me had a bad run. He was heading on holiday and had R2 000 on him because he had just been paid. Then his bakkie broke [down]. He was allegedly forced into the back of a police van and told to pay money to be released,” Snyman explained.   

When Snyman arrived at the roadblock, he asked the man to identify the officer who had allegedly taken the money. 

Snyman then began a Facebook Live broadcast and confronted the officer, who allegedly returned the money and apologised. 

Way forward 

Yesterday (June 8), Snyman met with two police officers from the anti-corruption unit in Sandton to discuss a way forward. 

In a video posted on Facebook, Snyman explained that members of the public should use eBlockwatch to report corrupt police officers. 
 
“Every police officer taking a bribe does not feel like they are accountable. They feel as though they are untouchable,” he said. 
 
To report incidents, members of the public must first join eBlockwatch through its website. Joining is free, and once registered, they will receive his contact number. 

“If you are aware of cops taking a bribe at that moment, send me a WhatsApp message and a video, and I will forward it to the officers from the anti-corruption unit. We have a group chat with just the three of us, and they will investigate,” he added. 

Report corruption 

Snyman said that anyone in the country can join the group and that the identities of people reporting bribery will be kept anonymous. 

He advised members of the public not to confront suspected corrupt officers as he had done.  
 
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe previously said the police officer in the video had been identified and that immediate disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against her. 

“A departmental investigation has also been launched to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” added Mathe. 
 
To report corruption, call the SAPS Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 701 701 or join eBlockwatch here. 

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