The Tshwane Metro Police (TMPD) on Friday evening arrested a taxi passenger in the north of Pretoria after he allegedly tried to bribe a TMPD officer with R100 “cold drink” money.

The man, who had been helping the driver of the taxi collect passenger transport fares, allegedly performed the illegal act after the taxi was stopped for overloading.

According to TMPD spokesperson Senior Superintended Isaac Mahamba, the man was arrested in Hammanskraal during an operation led by TMPD Chief of Police Yolande Faro.

Mahamba said the taxi was caught carrying more passengers than its legal capacity, and the man who was with the taxi driver tried to offer a Metro Police officer R100 but was arrested on the spot.

“The driver was issued with an Aarto fine amounting to R1 000 of which, if he pays within 30 days, he qualifies to get a R500 discount,” Mahamba said.

He added that the TMPD always warns members of the public to refrain from giving police bribes.

“The whole department is proud of our member who was brave enough not to be tempted by money and put his career first,” said Mahamba.

He encouraged all members of the TMPD to refuse bribes from motorists. “All members should display this great sense of professionalism and arrest anyone offering them bribe money.”

Mahamba added that the accused will appear in court soon, and a possible lengthy sentence for him would serve as a lesson to other motorists, discouraging them from offering bribes.