Balfour police turn down R42k bribe

Balfour SAPS arrested a 38-year-old suspect who attempted to bribe two officials who pulled him over for driving without a number plate, reports Heidelberg/Nigel Heraut.

The arrest was made on the evening of March 29 near the Sibanye gold mine by constables Vuyi Mqhwathi and Mandla Khumalo.

The officers were conducting routine patrols in the area when they spotted a white Toyota double cab without number plates parked near the mine.

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Balfour SAPS spokesperson Virginia Mavuso said in a statement: “When they interviewed the driver, he mentioned that he is working for a security company called DSG based in Nigel and was visiting a site.”

The two officers then phoned the security company to verify whether the suspect was indeed working for the company, but the company denied this.

According to police, the suspect then took out R2,000 from a plastic bag and gave it to constable Khumalo while he was being transported to the police station.

When constable Khumalo refused to let him go, the suspect allegedly tried to pay his way to freedom by presenting the officers with R40,000 – again the officers refused.

The cash was taken and booked in the SAP 13 and the suspect was charged.

Both constables were lauded by station commander Lt Col Khoabane for the dedication they had shown.

Praise to the officers were also given at a higher level, as the provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, congratulated the officers who had refused to take the bribe.

“The members should continue being true to the oath they took and work to protect their community,” said Zuma.

He further wished that this kind of behaviour would positively influence other members of the force to follow suit and resist corruption.

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