A traffic cop hailed as a hero when he foiled an armed robbery over the festive season in Mthatha, has now found himself on the wrong side of the law.
Thandekile Mditshane, 50, appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court yesterday after handing himself over to police 48 hours after allegedly escaping from Hawks investigators, who tried to arrest him near Decoligny on the R61 on Sunday.
He faces four counts including corruption, resisting arrest, escaping from lawful custody and pointing a firearm at officers.
Earlier this year, transport MEC Weziwe Tikana handed Mditshane a bravery award after he shot dead an armed robber at a cosmetic shop at Circus Triangle shopping centre.
Mditshane was part of an Easter weekend operation involving traffic officers from the national department when he allegedly demanded a R2500 bribe from a motorist who produced a “fake” drivers licence on Sunday.
He allegedly settled for R1000 after the motorist said he could only afford to give him R500.
The motorist said he would withdraw the money from an ATM, but instead contacted the police.
Organised Crime Unit set up a trap and marked the notes.
The investigators pounced when Mditshane allegedly took the marked notes from the motorist. It is alleged he fled the scene, but handed himself over the following day.
Mditshane appeared in an empty courtroom yesterday with a handful of supporters.
In opposing bail, state prosecutor Thembisa Ntloko said the state would add more charges after 40 drivers’ licences were allegedly found in Mditshane’s possession.
The case was postponed to April 13. Mditshane remains in custody.
Tikana yesterday reacted with shock at news of Mditshane’s arrest, who became the third traffic officer in the past fortnight to be accused of asking for bribes. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Hero traffic cop in hot water over bribery claim
Thandekile Mditshane, 50, appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court yesterday after handing himself over to police 48 hours after allegedly escaping from Hawks investigators, who tried to arrest him near Decoligny on the R61 on Sunday.
He faces four counts including corruption, resisting arrest, escaping from lawful custody and pointing a firearm at officers.
Earlier this year, transport MEC Weziwe Tikana handed Mditshane a bravery award after he shot dead an armed robber at a cosmetic shop at Circus Triangle shopping centre.
Mditshane was part of an Easter weekend operation involving traffic officers from the national department when he allegedly demanded a R2500 bribe from a motorist who produced a “fake” drivers licence on Sunday.
He allegedly settled for R1000 after the motorist said he could only afford to give him R500.
The motorist said he would withdraw the money from an ATM, but instead contacted the police.
Organised Crime Unit set up a trap and marked the notes.
The investigators pounced when Mditshane allegedly took the marked notes from the motorist. It is alleged he fled the scene, but handed himself over the following day.
Mditshane appeared in an empty courtroom yesterday with a handful of supporters.
In opposing bail, state prosecutor Thembisa Ntloko said the state would add more charges after 40 drivers’ licences were allegedly found in Mditshane’s possession.
The case was postponed to April 13. Mditshane remains in custody.
Tikana yesterday reacted with shock at news of Mditshane’s arrest, who became the third traffic officer in the past fortnight to be accused of asking for bribes. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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