Cape Town couple hawks

Image: @Arrive Alive SA / Twitter

Hawks: Three arrested for offering R60 000 bribe to police officer

The Hawks say the trio had been busted for operating an illegal liquor outlet and brothel in the Johannesburg CBD

Cape Town couple hawks

Image: @Arrive Alive SA / Twitter

Three men are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court facing charges of corruption on Monday, 17 January 2022.

According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, law enforcement officials had pounced on the trio on New Year’s Eve for allegedly operating illegal liquor outlet and a brothel without valid licenses in the Johannesburg CBD.

“Three men are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court facing charges of corruption. It is alleged that on New Year’s eve, the Johannesburg Central police were in the central business district and the surrounding area searching for illegal liquor outlets. During the search, police discovered an alleged hijacked building where occupants were allegedly operating illegal liquor outlet and a brothel without valid licenses,” said Hawks spokesperson Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu.

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HAWKS INVESTIGATE CORRUPTION CASE

The Hawks say the trio, aged between 30 and 46, then offered authorities a R60 000 bribe, in exchange for not shutting down their operation, as required by the city’s by-laws. The suspects are alleged to have initially given police R5 000, with plans to pay the rest later.

“Further investigation required the by-laws to close down the premises and the occupants to vacate the building. Allegations are that the suspects aged 30, 42, and 46 offered the police a R60 000 enticement for their illegal business to continue operating. An amount of R5000 was allegedly handed to the top police management as a form of gratification with arrangements for the outstanding balance.”

Hawks spokesperson Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu

After the first payment was made, the matter was reported to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation in Germiston for further investigation, the crime busting unit says.

“Yesterday, the trio allegedly arrived at the Johannesburg police station to handover the outstanding balance. A sting operation was conducted on the same day which resulted in the trio’s apprehension and subsequent charge of corruption”

Hawks spokesperson Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu