In a quest of fighting corruption in the public service, the Mpumalanga Safety, Security and Liaison department has suspended the four traffic officers who were allegedly arrested for corruption.
Three of the officers were arrested in Malelane on Monday, 11 July 2011 in connection with allegations of taking bribes from a motorist, while one was arrested last month in Barberton for allegedly demanding R700.
They were all suspended with full pay on Thursday by the department pending their criminal cases and departmental disciplinary action.
The three officers were arrested and charged by the police after they were allegedly caught accepting money from a motorist instead of arresting or alerting the police about the crime allegedly perpetuated by the motorist. It is alleged that the three helped motorists who transported illegal goods to the country in exchange of money. The police set a trap in order to net the three officers.
MEC Vusi Shongwe says that this is a clear message that his department will not tolerate any corruption. This is the reason Shongwe is still making the call to all law enforcement agencies in the province to refrain from taking part in criminal activities, but focus their energy in helping people who need their help.
“The suspension demonstrates that we are aware that a person is deemed innocent until found guilty by a court of law and it also indicates that the department takes the matter seriously and it will stop at nothing in taking necessary action on any official who is found guilty of any offence,” said Shongwe.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
Source: Mpumalanga Department of Safety, Security and Liaison
Department suspends traffic officers facing allegations of corruption
Province
