SAPS constable charged with corruption over alleged timber truck bribe

A South African Police Service constable in Limpopo has been charged with corruption after he allegedly demanded R10,000 to release a timber truck stopped on a public road, police said.

What happened

The incident occurred on 1 August 2025 at about 4pm when the constable and three colleagues stopped a truck and trailer carrying pine trees along the R37 public road next to a filling station, police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said.

The truck was reported to have been loaded in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga and destined for a customer in the Mokopane policing area. The driver told officers he did not have a permit and called the truck owner.

Allegations of bribery

Mashaba said the constable took the driver’s cellphone, spoke to the owner and then demanded R10,000 in cash to release the vehicle and driver.

“While en route to the police station, the suspect allegedly called the owner and provided his bank account details while instructing him to deposit money for the release of both the driver and the truck,” Mashaba said.

The owner reportedly deposited R1,000 into the suspect’s bank account and was then allegedly sworn at and told to provide the remaining R9,000, Mashaba said. When the owner refused, the constable allegedly detained the driver on suspicion of possessing stolen property.

Legal process and investigation

The driver was not released and appeared in the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court on 2 August 2025, though the case was not enrolled. A docket was opened and transferred to the Limpopo Provincial Anti‑Corruption Unit for further investigation and the matter was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

On 15 June 2026 the constable was charged with corruption, served with a summons and ordered to appear at the Burgersfort Magistrate’s Court on 24 August 2026, Mashaba said. Police investigations are continuing.

Next steps

The case is now with prosecuting authorities and the Provincial Anti‑Corruption Unit as investigations proceed.