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The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU)  welcome the efforts of the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) and South African Police Service (SAPS) in successfully arresting 13 traffic officers in Polokwane within two days for corruption.

The arrests were the result of an investigation launched in March 2022 into allegations that traffic officers on the N1 highway between Polokwane and Musina had been accepting bribes from road users seeking to avoid fines and other legal consequences.

POPCRU President Thulani Ngwenya expressed his disappointment, strongly condemning the officers’ actions and emphasising the union’s commitment to ethical policing. “Any unlawful conduct by traffic officers heightens the danger to motorists and other road users, and is particularly alarming given the high number of accidents on South Africa’s roads,” he said.

“As POPCRU, we commend the NTACU and SAPS for their thorough work in apprehending these individuals. This marks an important step in the fight against corruption within our traffic management system, sending a clear message to other perpetrators that their days as officers are numbered and their actions will not go unpunished.”

The arrests were part of the broader Operation Coconut, an initiative aimed at exposing and eliminating corruption in law enforcement. Ngwenya stressed that POPCRU has always made it clear to its members that any involvement in criminal activities will not be tolerated.

“We consistently remind our members that any misconduct will compromise their careers, threaten the reputation of all law enforcement, and risk the lives of the citizens that they have sworn to protect and serve.

“It is disheartening to see law enforcement officers, who are entrusted with upholding the law and safeguarding our communities, being accused of engaging in corrupt practices instead. Their actions have betrayed the trust of the public and endangered countless lives on our roads. As a result, the ongoing investigation will be vital in rooting out any other wrongdoers who are guilty of unethical behaviour.”

Ngwenya further called on all law enforcement officers, including traffic officials, to adhere to the highest ethical standards.

“POPCRU supports all efforts to eradicate corruption in all its forms, and to restore public confidence in law enforcement. We will continue to work with all relevant authorities to ensure that any offenders are brought to book and that our members uphold the law with integrity. In the meantime, let's allow the process to take its course and not judge the accused as our constitution says innocent until proven guilty,” he concluded.

Issued by Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union