BETHAL – A professional nurse appeared in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court today, 3 July on a corruption charge afer he allegedly demanded a bribe to terminate a pregnancy.
The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit arrested Mr Martin Mandla Mlotshwa (57) on Tuesday, 2 July at his work in one of the clinics in the area.
According to Capt Dineo Sekgotodi, a woman who was further along in her pregnancy than the legal abortion period of 12 weeks, went to the clinic to terminate the pregnancy.
Mr Mlotshwa, the assisting nurse, allegedly demanded a bribe of R700 because the termination was not allowed in terms of the termination of pregnancy Act.
The woman reported the matter to the Hawks and an entrapment was conducted As soon as he accepted the money, the police nabbed him.
Mr Mlotshwa was released on R500 bail and the case is postponed to 19 July.
The Provincial Head of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Maj/Gen Zodwa Mokoena, said that corruption has a negative impact on development and service delivery.
Gen Mokoena further said that victims are deprived of their rights because of greediness. The community are encouraged to report any act of corruption.
He concluded by saying: “Corruption undermines good governance.”
