Law Enforcement officers caught demanding R3 000 bribe in SAPS sting operation

Two law enforcement officers arrested during an undercover anti-corruption operation for allegedly soliciting a bribe from a motorist will be served with suspension notices once they are released from custody, the City says. 

Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said the arrests stem from an incident that allegedly took place on January 5, when the officers pulled over a motorist in Parow who was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol. The motorist was also unable to produce a valid driver’s licence and was operating an unlicensed vehicle.

Instead of enforcing the law, the officers allegedly demanded a R3 000 bribe to let the motorist go. When he was unable to pay immediately, arrangements were reportedly made to collect the money at a later stage.

The motorist subsequently reported the matter to the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit, which set up a controlled handover. The two officers were arrested when they allegedly accepted the cash.

“This incident is incredibly disappointing, but the City will not tolerate such behaviour,” Dyason said. “We will cooperate fully with SAPS in their investigation.”

Police spokesperson Ndakhe Gwala said the anti-corruption unit arrested two law enforcement officers on Tuesday.

"The duo stopped a drunk driver in Voortrekker Road, Parow. Instead of arresting him for drunken driving, they opted for a R3000 bribe. The suspects took a video of the driver and saved their contacts on his cellular telephone and informed him that he could pay at a later stage. The driver approached the corruption unit detectives, who instructed him to play along as they conduct an undercover trap operation.

"On Tuesday the officers gave the driver marked notes to hand over to the two suspects at their agreed meeting point. The suspects showed up, and they deleted the video in front of the driver and accepted the marked notes," Gwala said. 

Both suspects were arrested on the spot, and their cellphones along with the marked money were seized as evidence. They are expected in the Belville Magistrate’s court once they have been charged.

GOOD Party councillor Jonathan Cupido welcomed the action taken by SAPS and commended the whistle-blower for coming forward. 

However, the party cautioned against treating the case as an isolated incident, arguing that it points to deeper, long-standing failures in how municipal law enforcement is managed.

Cupido said corruption flourishes where officers are inadequately trained, poorly supervised, and insufficiently supported, particularly in high-risk environments where they are expected to confront substance abuse, violence and crime daily.

The party called for systemic reform, including continuous ethics and anti-corruption training, improved financial and psychological support, transparent promotion pathways and fair working conditions.

Cape Times