Former KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM) traffic officer, Sandile Lloyd Nene (43), has been sentenced to three years imprisonment after soliciting a bribe.

Nene pulled over a female motorist in 2019 while still employed by KDM, citing her for a supposed violation where the car’s lights were too close to the wheels.

“He told her she could be liable for a fine of R800. He then removed her car license disc and withheld her driver’s license as well,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Natasha Kara.

Nene then told her that if she paid the R800 directly to him, the fine would be waived and her disc and driver’s license returned.

The motorist said she only had R200 on her person, with Nene agreeing to set up a meeting at a later date for the remainder of the money.

“A trap was then set up and Nene was arrested after taking the money,” Kara said.

Senior state advocate Ranjini Govender led the prosecution, with Nene sentenced to three years effective imprisonment in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court.

KDM confirmed they had received a complaint in 2019 about the incident, moving to suspend the officer.

“Unfortunately, Mr Nene resigned as an employee of KDM which meant that the internal disciplinary fell away before hearings could be held. However, the municipality learned that the matter was still being pursued by Saps and the Hawks,” said KDM spokesperson, Sipho Mkhize.

Kara welcomed the prosecution, saying that it again “demonstrated that no one was above the law.”

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