Limpopo cop in court for wanting a R10k bribe
A Tubatse police constable will appear in court for allegedly demanding a R10 000 bribe from a truck owner during a routine patrol.
LIMPOPO – A 36-year-old constable stationed at Tubatse SAPS is due to appear before the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on corruption charges following an investigation by the Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit.
The alleged incident
It is alleged that in August 2025, the suspect and three colleagues were conducting routine patrols along the R37 public road next to a filling station.
They stopped a truck and trailer transporting pine trees loaded in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, and destined for a customer in the Mokopane policing area.
A R10 000 bribe
After stopping the truck, the driver was approached by the suspect, who asked him to produce a permit for transporting the timber. The driver said he was not in possession of it and called the truck owner.
It is reported that the suspect took the driver’s cellphone and spoke to the owner, demanding R10 000 in cash for releasing the truck to proceed to its destination.
Bank details provided for payment
While on route to the police station, the suspect allegedly called the owner and provided his bank account details, instructing him to deposit money for the release of both the driver and the truck.
The owner reportedly deposited R1 000 into the suspect’s bank account, stating it was all he had, and pleaded for the release of the driver and truck.
Suspect demanded remaining R9 000
The suspect then demanded the remaining R9 000, but when the owner refused, the truck driver was detained for alleged possession of stolen property.
Driver appeared in court
The driver was not released and appeared in the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on August 2, 2025, but the case was not enrolled.
Anti-Corruption Unit investigation
A case docket was registered and transferred to the Limpopo Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit for further investigation.
The matter was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision.
Summons served
On Monday, June 15, the constable was charged with corruption and served with a summons.
He has been ordered to appear before the Burgersfort Magistrate’s Court on August 24, facing a charge of corruption.
