A traffic officer from Bethlehem was arrested on Monday, 20 November, during a sting operation by the police.
The 57-year-old Teboho Kabelo Tote, an administration clerk at the traffic department in Bethlehem, appeared in the local Magistrates’ Court on 21 November for fraud and corruption.
A complainant in his 40’s allegedly visited the department on Thursday, 2 November, to renew his Professional Driving Permit (PDP). He realised whilst already at the counter that he needed to source a new optometrist assessment report.
Tote who was assisting him, offered to fix this problem at a fee and save the complainant the trouble of having to go back to the doctor.
The intended exchange was reported to the Serious Corruption Investigation detectives in Bethlehem.
They embarked on a sting operation which led to the suspect being caught in possession of a R200 gratification. Tote appeared in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court and his case was postponed to Thursday, 7 December. He was released on R2 000 bail.
