Mpumalanga traffic officer who took a R50 “gratification” from a motorist was sentenced to five years in prison – but the term was fully suspended. Picture Credits: Alamy
By Duncan Mnisi
Mpumalanga – A 48-year-old traffic officer, Thembisile Yende, was sentenced on Tuesday after being caught accepting a R50 bribe.
The Ermelo Magistrate’s Court handed her a five-year prison term, wholly suspended for five years on condition that she does not commit a similar offence during that period.
Yende was arrested in 2022 following an undercover operation by the Hawks’ Middelburg Serious Corruption Investigation team. This came after motorists in Ermelo reported that traffic officials were demanding “gratification” in exchange for overlooking traffic violations.
On 30 March 2022, an undercover police agent was instructed to pay R50 because the vehicle’s registration plates were not displayed. Yende was immediately caught and arrested, and has been appearing in court since then.
Major General Nico Gerber, Mpumalanga Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, said the investigation was handled professionally.
“The guilty verdict should serve as a warning to other law-enforcers not to put their jobs at risk,” Gerber said.
He added that while a suspended sentence may not satisfy public expectations, the Hawks respect the court’s ruling.
The case has drawn renewed attention to petty corruption among traffic officers in South Africa. A recent survey by the South African Institute of Race Relations found that 27% of drivers in Mpumalanga have been asked for a bribe by a traffic officer at least once in the past year.
Many residents expressed disappointment that Yende will not serve jail time.
“A suspended sentence feels like a slap on the wrist,” said one Ermelo resident who asked to remain anonymous.
Yende will remain on probation for five years. If she is convicted of another corruption-related offence during that time, the suspended sentence will be activated and she will be required to serve the full five-year prison term.
The Hawks have indicated they will continue monitoring traffic officials in the province and will act swiftly if further misconduct is reported.
