Pretoria - Five Tshwane Metro Police officers, based at the TMPD's Mamelodi offices, have been arrested on allegations of corruption.
According to the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), the five officers were arrested on Wednesday.
The arrests came after a complaint by a motorist who alleged that he was stopped by six officers on Friday morning in Garsfontein. The motorist alleged that officers accused him of driving under the influence of alcohol, which he denied.
The officers then allegedly agreed not to arrest the motorist if he gave them money.The officers allegedly accompanied him to an ATM where he gave them R1 000.
The motorist then reported the case at the Villeria Police Station.
On Wednesday, SAPS arrived at the Mamelodi office with the motorist who was able to identify two officers believed to be involved in the incident.
"The two then identified three other officers who were part of the group. The sixth officer was off duty. All five were arrested on the spot and taken to the Villeria police station. The sixth suspect will be arrested shortly," TMPD said.
Chief of Police Steven Ngobeni ordered that the officers be suspended with immediate effect and that departmental disciplinary processes be instituted against them.
The officers are assumed innocent until proven guilty, but if found guilty will be expelled from the TMPD.
"The management of the TMPD wishes to send the message to everyone, officers and the public in general, that no form of corruption will be tolerated. Any wrongdoers will be dealt with harshly in order that the good name of the TMPD may be protected," TMPD said.
