A former Western Cape traffic cop, who accepted bribes from taxi drivers, will serve four years in jail or pay a R40 000 fine after he was found guilty on corruption charges.
Also read: Five suspects now apprehended in Cape Town for AKA’s murder
According to Hawks spokesperson, Zinzi Hani, the former traffic officer Gavin Edgar Heinrick Zass (53), was sentenced at the Bellville Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 24 March.
‘In 2016, Zass was impounding taxis that did not have roadworthy permits and would release the taxis without following proper procedure,’ said Hani. ‘In return, he would request a bribe from taxi owners.’
‘The matter was immediately reported to the Serious Corruption Investigation team in Bellville for further investigation.’
Zass was arrested in possession of R10 000 entrapment cash and charged with corruption, following a sting operation at the Bellville Traffic Department in 2016
He was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Also read: Former municipal officials in court for corruption in R46 million tender fraud
This incident came less than a week before some members of the Maitland Flying Squad were arrested and face charges of corruption after they were accused of seizing large amounts of abalone, without arrests nor booking in the confiscated goods, in an unrelated incident on Tuesday.
While the investigation into the corrupt activities of the members is still underway, and as the matter unfolds, more charges could be brought against the members, who are now suspended from the SAPS.
The Western Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenantt General Thembisile Patekile did not mince his words as he welcomed the arrests and simultaneously warned that corrupt members masquerading as police officers will be brought to book to face the full might of the law.
Members of the public are encouraged to use the Anti-Corruption Hotline, 08600 701 701 if they are aware of any corrupt activities involving members.
Also read:
Six police officers arrested for corruption linked to abalone seizures
Picture: Unsplash