If you are asked by traffic police to pay a bribe, directly or otherwise, you should refuse and immediately report the official to the relevant police department in the area.
According to Xolani Fihla, spokesman for the Johannesburg Metro Police (JMPD), the vehicles driven by traffic officers are fitted with tamper-proof computers that broadcast their location back to the head office.
The sooner you’re able to report the bribe solicitor, the sooner they can be tracked down and brought to account.
Time is of the essence
It’s become commonplace in South Africa that when a traffic official pulls over a motorist they are regularly encouraged to pay a bribe, colloquially also known as a “spot fine”, “donation”, or a “cool drink”.
The matter of whether the driver did something wrong or their car is unroadworthy is oftentimes not even considered, an innocent motorist just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and corrupt traffic officials use intimidation tactics such as threats of arrest for obstruction of justice to get what they want – usually, money.
In extreme cases, the dirty officials will even take their victims to ATMs to withdraw cash before they are set free.
If you are caught up in a situation where an officer is attempting to solicit a bribe or extort money from you, politely stand your ground and refuse. It’s important not to become confrontational as it could exacerbate the situation.
Take note of the officer’s vehicle registration number and the call sign on the side of the vehicle which states which area or unit they belong to.
“If you report [this information] as soon as possible then our internal affairs unit will be activated and action will be taken against those officers who are caught in the wrong,” said Fihla in an interview on 702.
If the officers are operating out of unmarked cars, also called “sleep cars”, take down details such as the location of the roadblock or roadside check which may possibly not have been authorised, as well as the registration plate of the vehicle, to assist the authorities in determining which officers were the guilty culprits.
CrimeWatch’s Yusuf Abramjee similarly urges motorists not to be afraid to report these incidents as this is the only way to reduce the frequency thereof.
“The one way of solving [the issue of bribery] is to make sure that members of the public pursue it to the end,” said Abramjee.
“Do not be scared, they might threaten you, but you need to go to the South African Police Service and open charges, go to IPID (Independent Police Investigative Directorate) if you have to.”
The anti-crime activist said he has worked with several extortion victims before who were traumatised by their interactions with the police but too afraid of pursuing the matter further.
Abramjee highlighted that the internal corruption departments of the Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, and Tshwane Metro Police have proven effective in resolving these grievances in recent times.
Motorists are also urged to install devices such as dashcams in their vehicles as well as record their interactions with police officials via video and photos as this could be invaluable evidence in bringing corrupt individuals to justice.
Both CrimeWatch’s Abramjee and JMPD’s Fihla emphasised that there are two parties involved in a bribery situation. Do not be the one that offers to pay a bribe as this could leave you defenceless if you then attempt to report the officer.
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