The case against three senior Peddie traffic officials who were arrested by the Hawks last month for allegedly taking bribes, was postponed by the Peddie Magistrate's Court today.
The case would be transferred to a Regional Court to be named later, National Prosecuting Authority said yesterday.
Mzuvukile Nelson Nkontso, 50, Noluvuko Viba, 29, and Phathekile Dinginto, 44, all superintendents, stand accused of corruption.
Their arrest followed months of investigation by the Hawks into allegations that the three were demanding and taking bribes from motorists travelling along the R72 road between East London and Port Alfred. It further alleged that they were also soliciting bribes from motorists on the N2 road between King William’s Town and Grahamstown.
The three were granted bail of R3 000 each on December 21 after their arrest earlier that day. Yesterday the case was postponed to February 3 2017.
NPA spokesman Tshepo Ndwalaza said the case was postponed for the accused to get an attorney. Ndwalaza added that the case has been transferred to a regional court.
Hawks acting spokesman Duma Bam said an internal investigation at the Ngqushwa Traffic department was also pending. The three work at the Ngqushwa municipality’s traffic department. The Hawks swooped on the suspects while they were on duty following an undercover joint operation between SCI and crime intelligence.