FREE STATE – A 44-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Monday, 26 April 2021 where he will be facing charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
The suspect was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in Bloemfontein assisted by Social Crime Prevention Park Road.
His arrest follows an investigation into an incident which took place on Thursday, 21 April 2021 where a motorist had his vehicle impounded by a female traffic official. She allegedly stated that the victim who is a foreign national needed to produce his passport and a gratification of R1400 in order for the vehicle to be released. The victim left the scene and sought assistance from his supervisor who then alerted the local police about the ordeal.
The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation swiftly ensued after they were tasked with the probe. Instead of the female traffic official receiving the money the 44-year-old male traffic official was the one who received it and released the vehicle. Consequently he was arrested a short while afterwards and about R500 in cash was recovered from him.