Lekwa Municipality’s management welcomed the arrest of two traffic officials suspected of taking bribes from motorists.

The communication manager of Lekwa Municipality, Lubabalo Majenge, said the two traffic officers, Superintendent Mndeni Danisa (38) and Officer Thulisile Dumakude (47), handed themselves over to the local police.

“The municipality will monitor the case closely and institute internal processes.”

Majenge said the municipality welcomes the investigation and the subsequent arrest as an anti-corruption operation that will assist in restoring discipline and ethical conduct in the traffic law enforcement.

A superintendent at the Lekwa municipal traffic department and a traffic officer suspected of taking bribes from motorists have been released on bail of R2 000 last week.

Danisa and Dumakude appeared in the dock at the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on April 16 for allegedly taking R300 gratification from an undercover officer.

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According to the Mpumalanga spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, the Secunda-based Serious Corruption Investigation Unit, in collaboration with the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU), conducted an operation at the Lekwa Municipality Traffic Department following a lengthy investigation into alleged corrupt activities involving local traffic officials in Standerton.

He said the investigation was initiated after several complaints were received from motorists who alleged that they were coerced into paying gratification after committing traffic violations.

“The two traffic officers, a man and a woman, unsuspectedly stopped an undercover policeman for speeding and driving without a valid driver’s licence.”

Nkosi said the officials allegedly demanded a gratification of R500, but after the undercover officer pleaded for leniency, he was allegedly coerced into paying at least R300, which he paid.

“He was subsequently allowed to leave without being issued a traffic fine,” said Nkosi.

Further investigation led to the identification of the two traffic officials and they were then arrested on April 16. Danisa and Dumakude must return to court for their second appearance on June 5.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber, issued a stern warning against the abuse of authority for personal gain.

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