A suspect was arrested by the Secunda and Nelspruit based Serious Corruption Investigation team on Friday, 22 September 2023, for corruption at Tonga policing area.
It is alleged that on Thursday, 21 September 2023, the complainant (an employee from the Department of Labour) was on duty with her colleagues doing inspection in the area of Tonga.
Whilst busy inspecting one of the shops checking compliance, they found that the owner of the shop was underpaying his employees and that he was also not in compliance with Basic Conditions of Employment and National Wage Act. He even employed three foreign nationals who did not have legal documentation to be in the Republic of South Africa. They were given a weekly salary of R700-00 without payslips.
As the inspection was continued, it is alleged that the owner of the shop asked to talk to the complainant in private and offered to give her money if she can ignore what she had identified.
The complainant agreed to accept the money the following day, Friday 22 September 2023, in the absence of her colleagues. Immediately after that, she reported the matter to DPCI, and an entrapment operation was set in motion.
On Friday, the suspect was arrested by the team after handing over R600-00 to the official. The suspect is detained pending his first court appearance at Tonga Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 25 September 2023. The suspect remains in custody.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Gerber, said that it is pleasing to find employees who still have integrity when performing their daily duties.
He further encouraged the community to report all forms of corruption. He assured the public that information received will be treated with confidentiality.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48570.
