Two LEAP officers have been arrested in Parow after an undercover operation linked to an alleged R3 000 bribery demand during a traffic stop. The arrests happened on Tuesday night, 13 January, with police saying the officers were caught during a controlled handover of marked cash.

The Stop That Sparked the Sting

According to police, the case started on Monday night, 5 January, when the two officers pulled over a motorist on Voortrekker Road in Parow. The driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol. He also could not produce a driver’s licence and was driving an unlicensed vehicle, according to the City’s Law Enforcement Department.

Instead of arresting the driver for suspected drunk driving, the officers allegedly demanded a R3 000 bribe. Police said the driver could not pay on the spot, so the officers recorded a video of him and saved their contact details on his phone, telling him he could pay later.

How the Undercover Operation Played Out

The driver then approached the Western Cape Anti-Corruption Unit. Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said detectives advised him to cooperate while they set up an undercover plan.

On 13 January, investigators gave the driver marked banknotes and arranged a meeting point. Police say the officers arrived, deleted the video in front of the driver and accepted the money. That is when they were arrested. Officers’ mobile phones and the marked cash were seized as evidence.

Court Appearance and City Response

The suspects are expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court once they have been formally charged. Police have urged anyone who has been asked for bribes, or who has witnessed corruption, to report it so investigations can be opened.

City Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said the allegations are “incredibly disappointing” and that the City will cooperate with SAPS. He added the officers will be served with suspension notices when they are released from custody.