| 2024/09/09 |
|
Media Statement
MPUMALANGA – A 48-year-old weigh bridge master is expected to appear before the Belfast Magistrates Court on Monday, 09 September 2024 after he was arrested for Contravention of Section 10 (a) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 on Saturday, 07 September 2004 at about 07:50 at Wonderfontein weigh bridge. It is alleged that on the above-mentioned date and time, a truck driver was driving along the N4 between Belfast and Wonderfontein weigh bridge when he was stopped by a traffic officer in full uniform with a marked vehicle. The traffic officer instructed the truck driver to go to Wonderfontein weigh bridge. The traffic official followed him to the weigh bridge. The scale master weighed the truck and informed the driver that the truck is overloaded with 7 tons. The traffic official drove away. The scale master told the driver that he would be arrested for overloading unless he paid R6000 gratification. The driver phoned the truck owner and explained to him what happened. The truck owner asked to talk to the scale master and afterwards he transferred R5000 into the driver’s FNB account and he told him to show the Scale Master the transfer. The weigh bridge official ordered the driver to go and withdraw the money at the Puma garage. He could only withdraw R3000.00. He had R1000 in his possession and it was also demanded. The driver took photograph of the money and handed the total amount of R4000 to the scale master. He was further instructed to transfer R2500.00 through EFT. The truck owner reported the incident to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), who further reported the allegations to the Hawks Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. The team comprising of Middelburg and Secunda based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and Road Traffic Management Corporation drove to Wonderfontein weigh bridge. On arrival, the scale master was interviewed and searched. The amount of R1500.00 was found in his possession. He further pointed the rest of the money (R2500.00) hidden under bricks. The serial numbers were compared to the pictures taken by the truck driver and corresponded. An amount of R6490.00 was recovered. The suspect was arrested, charged and detained, pending his first court appearance. Investigation continues. Ends
Enquiries:
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/SAPoliceService |
|
|
