Dylan Bettencourt
A traffic officer in KwaZulu-Natal attempted to extort a bribe from a woman by telling her that her car lights were “too close to her tyres.”
Sandile Lloyd Nene was sentenced to three years in prison for requesting a R800 bribe after being found guilty of corruption by the Durban Commercial Crimes Court earlier this week.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the incident took place in August 2019 when Nene was an employee of the KwaDukuza Municipality.
Provincial spokesperson Natasha Kara said the incident took place when Nene spoke to the complainant regarding the car lights.
“He told her that her car lights were too close to the tyres and that she could be liable for a fine of R800,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
“He then removed her car licence disc and withheld her driver’s licence as well. Nene told her that if she paid him the R800 directly he would not issue a fine and return her licence disc and driver’s licence.”
Kara explained that the victim claimed they only had R200 cash on them with Nene agreeing to wait for the other R600.
“A trap was then set up and Nene was arrested after taking the remaining money,” she explained.
The NPA praised the arrest and the sentence.
“We hope this sentence demonstrates that no person is above the law,” the NPA said.
Image source: @PowerFM
