The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) arrested a police officer on Monday, 16 November 2009 for trying to solicit a bribe from the complainant. It is alleged that on 14 November 2009, about six police officers went to Wentworth, Durban to search the complainant’s residence where they discovered a small quantity of dagga.
The complainant alleges that two officers then demanded a bribe of R15 000 or they were going to arrest his family. He claims that the policemen left his house after he had given them a sum of R3 300 and agreeing to settle the outstanding amount at a later date.
The matter was reported and registered at the ICD office in KwaZulu-Natal on the 16 November 2009. The ICD then applied for and obtained the authority to proceed with the trap operation. On 16 November 2009, a 38-year-old Sergeant Brian James contacted the complainant and scheduled an appointment for the collection of the outstanding bribe money.
The ICD office in KwaZulu-Natal and South African Police Service (SAPS) National Intervention unit (NIU) embarked on a joint entrapment operation that led to the arrest of Sergeant James. He was detained at Durban central police station. He appeared in the Durban magistrate court today, 17 November 2009 on a charge of extortion and was released on R2 000 bail. The case has been remanded until 27 January 2010 for further investigations.
The community is urged to report members of the South African Police Services and municipal police services who solicit bribes from civilians.
For enquiries contact:
Moses Dlamini
Cell: 082 809 1927
Issued by: Independent Complaints Directorate
17 November 2009
Source: Independent Complaints Directorate (http://www.icd.gov.za/)
