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WATCH: Motorist refuses to pay 'bribe' for speeding

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The Mpumalanga traffic officer who allegedly asked for a 'bribe'. (Screengrab)
The Mpumalanga traffic officer who allegedly asked for a 'bribe'. (Screengrab)

A Mpumalanga motorist has launched a campaign to bring traffic officials to book after using his phone to record an altercation that followed an alleged bribery attempt. 

Lindelani Shezi claims he refused to pay a bribe which was solicited by officers after he was stopped for speeding.

The aftermath of the incident was recorded on his phone and posted on Facebook on Thursday.

Shezi said he was travelling from Ermelo to Mbombela when he was stopped.

The video shows the provincial traffic officers operating a speed camera on the side of the road in the Albert Luthuli Local Municipality.

They allegedly said he should pay a fine or give them money.

"I was asked if I will really take the R1 500 fine or do I have money on me. I refused to pay the bribe," Shezi wrote in the post.

"I asked him (the officer) to show me the over-speeding recording on the camera which he could not, then I felt I was being taken for a ride in Mpumalanga with my KZN-registered vehicle," he added. 

MEC 'disturbed' by video

When News24 reached out to Shezi he referred us to his attorney, Sandile Dlomo, who said the matter was still under investigation.

He added that a complaint had been laid with the Ermelo police and they would be seeking to lay charges of assault, attempt to solicit a bribe by an officer and the unlawful dispossession of a licence.

Shezi in the post said: "I was threatened, assaulted and the traffic officer refused to give back my licence nor to write me the fine."

READ: JMPD officer behind bars after allegedly accepting R10 'cooldrink bribe'

Community safety, security and liaison MEC Pat Ngomane said in a statement he had seen the video and was "disturbed" by it.

"I have seen the video and have assembled an investigating team to look into the issue as a matter of urgency as we view the allegations in a very serious manner," said Ngomane.

Shezi also alleged that officers at Badplaas police station refused to open a case when he reported the matter and the case was finally opened at the Ermelo police station.

Ngomane said his department was also looking into it.

'Enough is enough'

"I have already brought the matter to the Mpumalanga provincial (police) commissioner's attention for him to investigate. At this point I would like to call for calm and cooperation from both the motorist and officers involved so that we [can] resolve the matter amicably," he said.

Dlomo said his client was seeking justice in whatever form.

ALSO READ: 6 JMPD officers arrested for corruption after allegedly demanding R20k bribe

"The matter is still under investigation and Shezi is willing to cooperate," the attorney said.

Shezi has urged citizens to familiarise themselves with their rights and exercise them.

"We have rights and we need to fight abuse of power. We are claiming our power back," Dlomo added.

Shezi ended the Facebook post by saying: "Not in the name of our government, not in that uniform shall we allow this. Let us join hands to put a stop in this!! Enough is enough."

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