Bribery can get you into trouble
Someone has to get an advantage from the act of bribery.
The court proves bribery when someone gets an advantage from it.
The Addie investigated the criminal act of bribery of policemen after John Moodey DA caucus and provincial leader and member of the provincial legislature (MPL) recently commented in the Gauteng Legislature on the police commissioner Lesetja Mothiba’s statement that the public is to blame for corrupting the police.
According to Moody the commissioner alleges that the public was enticing the police into bribery at least seven out of ten occasions when a case of bribery is pursued.
Regional magistrate of Springs, Roy le Roux says a charge of bribery has to be proved by providing evidence that someone beyond reasonable doubt gets an advantage.
Both parties may be charged for bribery – the policeman gets the money or gift and the person paying it is not charged or arrested.
In this case both will stand in the dock.
Brigadier Thendeka Gwebushe, Springs SAPS station commander says when a policeman is accused of bribery a criminal case is opened, as well as an internal disciplinary file for investigation.
She says the Springs police station management sensitizes policemen and women each day while on parade not to take bribes.
They also conduct monthly workshops and imbizos to educate members about the crime of bribery.
She invited the public with complaints about policemen who take bribes by calling her or the Vispol Commander or 086 010 111, providing full details of the police members involve or their vehicle registration.
Corruptionwatch.org.za says on its website corruption is a societal problem, affecting every one.
The website further says the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act creates categories of crime that apply to public officials, politicians, judges, magistrates and the private sector where it is a crime for a member of the private sector to offer public officials and politicians money or favours to influence them to abuse their power.
