Premier’s reply reveals JMPD officer allegedly took R1.5m in a single day

How the allegation emerged

The claim appears in Lesufi’s response to questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature by Democratic Alliance (DA) MPL Sergio dos Santos on corruption involving the Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP), JMPD, Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) and Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD). The detail about the R1.5 million was included in JMPD’s response in Annexure A of the premier’s reply.

Investigations and internal figures

JMPD told the provincial office that 185 of its members were investigated for fraud and corruption by the department’s Internal Affairs Unit between January 2022 and April 2026. The department said it did not have a known total amount allegedly solicited across all cases because some extortion and corruption attempts were not completed, but it identified the R1.5 million as the highest amount taken on one day.

JMPD also reported that 47 members were placed on suspension or used in another capacity, and 17 members were dismissed. The department said it was not clear how many of the implicated officers faced criminal charges.

Complaints across Gauteng agencies

The DA said Lesufi’s reply showed 456 complaints of fraud, corruption, extortion and theft were recorded across the four law-enforcement agencies between 2022 and 2026. The breakdown in the provincial response was:

• JMPD: 185 cases
• TMPD: 180 cases recorded between 2022 and May 2026
• EMPD: 81 complaints
• Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP): 10 complaints

TMPD told the legislature that 314 members had been identified and investigated for allegedly soliciting or accepting bribes since 2022, though 52 cases could not determine the accused. TMPD said 28 members were suspended, 17 dismissed and 148 criminally charged.

The GTP said only nine officials were implicated in the extortion of R700, with one officer allegedly soliciting R500. It reported that eight officials had been criminally charged and that two allegations were found to be unfounded.

EMPD reported that R54,250 had allegedly been solicited in cases under investigation, of which R5,200 was recovered. EMPD said 11 officials had been suspended, one dismissed and 19 criminally charged.

DA response and calls for action

DA Gauteng spokesperson for Community Safety Michael Sun said the figures were alarming and argued they reinforced public distrust of law enforcement. He said:

“Corruption and rot within the Gauteng traffic and metro police services is alarming. A staggering R1.5 million bribe was allegedly taken by a Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) official in a single day.”

Sun added:

“These figures are deeply concerning, particularly because they represent only cases that were formally reported. The actual extent of corruption may therefore be considerably higher.”

Sun also said:

“Even more alarming is the fact that only 175 officers, or 38.3% of those implicated, have been criminally charged. Worse, JMPD could not even tell the Premier how many of its own officers face criminal charges, which highlights a significant loss of control within the department.”

He described the alleged scale of bribery as evidence of a deeper problem, saying:

“This is not petty corruption. This is organised extortion, operating in broad daylight, on our roads, with impunity.”

The DA asked for a package of measures, including mandatory body cameras, annual lifestyle audits and asset disclosures, an independent provincial anti-corruption unit, and time-bound referrals of corruption complaints to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) or SAPS.

Measures described by departments

The official responses in Lesufi’s reply also set out anti-corruption measures already in use or planned by the departments. JMPD said its Internal Affairs Unit runs anti-fraud and corruption awareness campaigns and witness-protection workshops. TMPD said it conducts unannounced integrity checks and monthly undercover bribery and corruption operations. Lesufi’s response said the Gauteng Traffic Police had allocated 1,000 body cameras and fitted 700 vehicles with dashboard cameras.

What is not detailed

The provincial reply did not provide further details about the R1.5 million incident, including when it allegedly occurred, how the money was obtained, who allegedly paid it, or the outcome of any criminal investigation linked to that case.