A Potchefstroom based Highway Patrol officer, Zahid Bhayat (44), was convicted on Thursday, 10 March 2022, by the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court for soliciting bribes from motorists on the N12 between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp.
The accused would allegedly stop luxury vehicles and accuse the drivers of exceeding the speed limit. He would then threaten to arrest them for the speed violation, but subsequently demand a payment of no less than R2000 to cancel the speed reading.
The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit launched investigations into the matter following a complaint that was received.
On 12 December 2017 Bhayat was arrested. He was released on R2000 bail, thereafter he made a series of court appearances until he was sentenced to four years imprisonment, half of which was suspended for five years.
He will therefore serve an effective two years imprisonment.
