BOTH Melmoth traffic officers arrested by the Hawks Anti-Corruption Unit on charges of corruption have been released on bail and are back in uniform and on duty.
Deputy Chief Traffic Officer Thembinkosi Dladla (30) and Traffic Officer Sakhile Mandlenkosi Mthabela (33) were arrested on charges of corruption after a truck driver alerted authorities late last month.
Mthabela was arrested on 25 June during a sting operation by the Hawks, and released on bail on 13 July.
According to police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane, Dladla had allegedly attempted to solicit a R2 500 bribe from a truck driver at the Melmoth weighbridge on 24 June.
‘He impounded the truck for not being roadworthy as the brakes were allegedly faulty after inspection,’ said Zwane.
‘The suspect removed the vehicle’s license discs and demanded an amount of R2 500 to release the truck, which was kept at the Melmoth Weighbridge offices.’
The Hawks were then contacted, and a sting was set up.
‘On 25 June Mthabela was allegedly sent by Dladla to collect the money. He was arrested and charged with corruption.’
Dladla was subsequently taken into custody on 15 July and released on bail of R2 000 on 16 July.
Sources confirmed that both officers have returned to duty, with no disciplinary procedures being brought against them at the moment.
Attempts to reach Mthonjaneni Municipality Mayor Maureen Ndlangamandla, Municipal Manager Raymond Nguni and the Manager of Corporate Services for comment on Friday, were unsuccessful.
The suspects will appear in the Melmoth Magistrate’s Court on 18 August.
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