Two TMPD officers arrested for alleged bribery, harassment

Two TMPD officers, who allegedly harassed and followed a woman from the east of Pretoria home for a R3 000 bribe, will appear in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Wednesday.

The woman was driving a new car when she was stopped by the officers at the corner of Lois Avenue and Solomon Mahlangu Drive in Erasmuskloof, on Sunday morning, for not displaying a valid permit, according to Tshwane community safety MMC Grandi Theunissen.

“I came across the two officers standing next to the road with the young lady on Sunday around 11:30 and I stopped, identified myself and inquired if there was a problem,” Theunissen said.

“I was informed that she had just bought a new vehicle and the permit on the vehicle was not valid. The lady called the dealer and one of the TMPD officers took the phone from her and spoke to the dealer. I asked if everything was resolved and I was told that it was and so I left.”

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He said on Monday he received a call from the woman telling her that as soon as he left, she was intimidated and asked to pay R3 000 or her new car would be impounded.

“She said being alone, afraid and intimidated, she decided to make the payment. The officers accompanied her to an ATM at a nearby garage, but it was not working. Thereafter, they followed her to her house where she made an e-wallet payment,” he said.

Theunissen said the officers were caught on video standing outside the woman’s house.

“We have supplied the footage to the investigating officers.”

He said the woman also provided the proof of payment of the bribe and the number believed to belong to one of the officers she was asked to make the e-wallet payment to.

“When all of this was made known to me, we started an investigation to trace the officers involved. I was fortunate to have seen the two officers and I could identify them. I arranged for the officers to be taken to the Garsfontein police station for questioning and they were arrested on Monday.”

The two officers have been suspended pending an internal investigation by the metro, Theunissen said.

“Should they be found guilty, there will be no mercy. They will be dismissed.

“If they are found guilty in court, I can say that recently in Potchefstroom an officer was sentenced to 15 years in prison in a similar incident. These officers can face a similar fate.”

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Theunissen said the woman was shaken and scared for her safety.

“Incidents of corruption will be dealt with decisively without fear as we root out those who abuse their power and fail to uphold their oath of office. I will ensure that the matter is properly investigated and dealt with accordingly internally,” he said.

Theunissen said this was the beginning of getting rid of corruption in the TMPD, he said he was dealing with about 15 similar cases.

“My problem has been that not all the complainants are willing to open criminal cases and I cannot do much when people also cannot identify those involved.”

Police spokesperson Augustinah Selepe confirmed the arrests.

“Two men, aged 39 and 40, were charged with alleged extortion and corruption and will appear in court today [Wednesday],” Selepe said.

Last year, eleven officers were arrested for allegedly assaulting three men who wanted to forcefully remove their vehicle that had been impounded by the officers. The three were allegedly beaten with sjamboks.

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