NW traffic cop behind bars for R2000 bribe
A 44-year-old highway patrol officer has been sentenced to four years in prison following his conviction on a charge of bribery.
Zahid Bhayat was sentenced by the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Bhayat, who was based at the Potchefstroom Traffic Department, was arrested in 2017 for soliciting bribes from motorists on the N12 between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp.
North West Hawks spokesperson Tlangelani Rikhotso says they received a tip-off from a motorist.
“The accused would allegedly stop luxury vehicles and accuse the drivers of exceeding the speed limit. He would then threaten to arrest them for the speed violation, but subsequently demand a payment of no less than R2000 to cancel the speed reading.
“After his arrest, Bhayat was released on R2000 bail, thereafter he made a series of court appearances until he was sentenced to four years imprisonment, half of which was suspended for five years. He will therefore serve effective two-year imprisonment.”
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