Shortly after 5pm on Sunday, I witnessed two men being loaded into the back of a police vehicle in Tangerine Street, Laudium, outside Pretoria.
I decided to follow the police van. Over recent months I’ve been inundated with complaints about cops taking bribes from “illegal” foreigners.
The patrol van drove for a few kilometers and stopped in 41st Avenue.
The men were released. I asked them why they were “arrested” and they said they are Malawi citizens and although they had documents, the police said they were illegally in South Africa.
The one men said he was forced to pay the cops R10. The other said he had no cash.
I immediately called the local police station commander. The men said they were happy to open a charge.
The station commander promised me he would take statements from the men “tomorrow” and take appropriate action. I hope he does. I will keep a close eye on progress.
Bribery and corruption must come to an end. A few months ago I alerted the station commander to allegations that his officers often took bribes in the Laudium area. He promised action. Clearly, the little or no measures were taken.
I have also alerted the Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lt General Mzwandile Petros, to this incident. Let’s see if he holds his police officers accountable. He has also been given full details of the foreigner who paid the bribe and the police vehicle call sign.
R10 may sound little. But this rot must stop! These people work hard to earn a living and cops continue to take their hard earned cash.
This problem appears rife in many areas. We must stand up and report the thugs!
Yusuf