What was he giving police? Video sparks probe after hawker filmed handing item to cops
A screengrab from a video circulating on social media allegedly shows a street hawker handing an item to police officers during an interaction in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.
Image: Screengrab
The South African Police Service in Mpumalanga has opened an inquiry after a video circulating on social media allegedly showed a police officer taking items from street hawkers in Nelspruit.
On Friday, Mpumalanga SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said police have taken note of the video, which is believed to have been recorded in Nelspruit.
An inquiry docket has since been opened and forwarded to the SAPS Anti-Corruption Unit in Middelburg for further investigation.
“The SAPS has taken note of the video allegedly depicting a police officer in Nelspruit taking something from hawkers,” police said.
"Progress regarding the investigation will be communicated in due course."
Acting Mpumalanga provincial police commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, urged members of the public to remain calm and allow police to conduct a thorough investigation.
He assured the public that feedback and findings would be communicated once the investigation had been concluded.
Mkhwanazi further emphasised that should any police member be found to have acted unlawfully, appropriate action would be taken.
“Such member or members will face the full consequences of their actions,” he said.
Last year, the City of Ekurhuleni officially launched an investigation after IOL shared a video showing one of its Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers demanding and taking a bribe from a motorist.
Phakamile Mbengashe, spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni, said the city has condemned the alleged misconduct, stating that appropriate action will be taken.
"The City of Ekurhuleni has noted with concern the footage circulating online allegedly showing an EMPD officer accepting a bribe from a motorist. The city condemns any form of corruption and misconduct by its officials in the strongest terms. The matter has been referred to Internal Audit and is currently under investigation. Appropriate disciplinary and legal action will be taken pending the outcome of the investigation," said Mbengashe.
The motorist claims the officer demanded "tax" to let him go after a questionable inspection of his vehicle's engine, with the entire incident reportedly captured on video.
Image: Screengrab
City of Ekurhuleni has committed to upholding integrity, accountability, and the highest standards of service in all its operations.
The city's stern response comes after a motorist, who spoke to IOL on condition of anonymity, detailed how he was allegedly extorted by the traffic officer. The incident occurred last week when the motorist and his wife were driving along Albertina Sisulu Road. The couple, who were on their way home after buying goods in the Johannesburg CBD, were pulled over by the officer.
According to the motorist, the officer requested his driver's licence, passport, and traffic register. After inspecting the documents, the officer instructed him to open the vehicle's bonnet. Following a brief inspection, the officer claimed the engine had oil and then demanded that the motorist "pay tax" to be allowed to leave.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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