| 2025/01/31 |
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Media Statement
GAUTENG – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) Serious Corruption investigation team arrested a traffic warden for extortion charges. A case was registered at Vanderbijlpark on Wednesday, 28 January 2025 following allegations of extortion involving the Vaal based Nathaniel Van Wyk (34) attached to De Deur police station. It is reported that on 19 January 2025, a businessman received a call alerting him of his employee’s arrest at the Barrage police station for being an illegal immigrant. The complainant was contacted by an individual claiming to be a lawyer. He was instructed to come to the station to free his employee. On arrival the traffic warden and police officers allegedly demanded R1500 for the release of his employee. The complainant managed to pay R400 and was required to provide the remaining R1100 at Vaal Mall, which he did. Two days later, traffic warden Nathaniel Van Wyk contacted the complainant again, demanding an additional R500. An undercover operation was authorized, leading to the arrest of Van Wyk at the Vaal Mall after he received the demanded money. He appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 30 January 2025. The case has been postponed to 19 February 2025, and the accused has been granted bail of R2000. Investigations are underway to identify the police officers who are implicated in the corruption. The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng Major General Ebrahim Kadwa has lauded the Hawks SCI team for the prompt arrest. “The arrest serves as our commitment to combating corruption and ensuring that those who exploit their positions of authority are held accountable”, He concluded. Ends
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