Mpumalanga: Two Mpumalanga police officers have been released on bail of R2000 each by the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court today after being arrested on charges of corruption.

It is alleged the two, Constable Wonderboy Maseko (37), and Constable Ephraim Nkosi (36), demanded a R200 000 bribe from a Swati businessman in Nelspruit last week Friday.

The victim was on his way to buy parts for one of his trucks when was stopped by the two police officers. They claimed he was carrying toxic substances and should pay a bribe or they would confiscate his vehicle and arrest him.

He gave them a portion of the amount with an understanding that the rest will be paid on Tuesday at Jeep Reef. Following his encounter he reported the matter to the Swaziland Police who in turn relayed the information to the SAPS crime intelligence.

The duo, one of whom was on leave, made their way to the meeting point as agreed and they were then arrested in a joint operation between the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation and Crime Intelligence on Tuesday and charged with corruption, defeating the ends of justice, robbery and theft under false pretences. Their case has been postponed to 20 March 2019 pending further investigations.

Source: South African Police Service