Predatory traffic officers and police are leading a new crime racket, targeting international tourists by demanding bribes shortly after they arrive in the country through OR Tambo International Airport \u2013 or as they depart.<\/p>\n
This latest trend has alarmed tourism and crime watchdogs who are warning that similar sophisticated police gangs are operating on major tourist routes across the country, including in the vicinity of the Kruger National Park, along the Garden Route and on the N4 highway to Mozambique.<\/p>\n
This week, Corruption Watch told the Saturday Star it had received more than 15 reports of police officials taking bribes from tourists as they arrived or left the country. Other industry experts said they had received similar complaints.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere seem to be two main trends,\u201d explained Moira Campbell, Corruption Watch\u2019s spokeswoman. \u201cComing out of the airport, police officers claim that foreigners have contravened the rules of the road, or do not have the required licence.\u201d In areas with high international tourist traffic, such as the Kruger park, officers use the same ploy with tourists.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey target rental cars,\u201d Campbell said, \u201cknowing that there\u2019s a 99 percent chance foreigners will be in the cars, and they demand payment of the \u2018fine\u2019 immediately.\u201d…<\/p>\n