Gauteng SAPS Officer Faces Disciplinary Action After Alleged R2,000 Bribery Incident

A Gauteng police officer is under investigation after a video circulating on social media allegedly captured him returning R2,000 to a civilian following a suspected bribery incident. The footage, which has been widely shared on platforms including Facebook, prompted an immediate response from the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Authorities have confirmed that the officer seen in the video has been identified and is now facing internal disciplinary action while a departmental investigation gets underway.

Gauteng SAPS Officer Investigated Over Viral Bribery Video

The Gauteng SAPS officer investigation was launched after the video gained traction online and raised questions about possible misconduct.

Police spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said disciplinary proceedings were immediately instituted against the officer while investigators work to establish exactly what transpired.

“The police officer featured in the video has been identified, and immediate disciplinary processes have been instituted. A departmental investigation has also been launched to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” Tintswalo said.

The investigation will seek to determine whether any criminal offence was committed and whether further action is warranted.

SAPS Reaffirms Zero-Tolerance Approach To Corruption

SAPS said the alleged incident highlights the importance of maintaining integrity within the organisation.

The police service reiterated that accepting, requesting or facilitating a bribe constitutes a criminal offence and violates the SAPS Code of Conduct.

Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni strongly condemned the alleged conduct and warned that officers found to have abused their authority would face consequences.

“The South African Police Service will not tolerate corruption in any form. Members who abuse their authority, compromise their integrity, or betray the trust placed in them by the public will be dealt with decisively,” said Mthombeni.

“We are committed to ensuring that every allegation of corruption is thoroughly investigated and that appropriate disciplinary and criminal action is taken where warranted.”

SAPS Calls On Public To Report Police Corruption

Mthombeni said public trust in law enforcement depends on officers acting professionally and ethically at all times.

“Our communities deserve professional, ethical and accountable policing, and we remain steadfast in protecting the integrity of the organisation.”

SAPS emphasised that all members are expected to uphold the Constitution, the SAPS Code of Conduct and all relevant laws and policies while carrying out their duties.

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The police service also urged members of the public not to offer bribes and to report any allegations of corruption, extortion or misconduct involving police officers through official channels, including the SAPS Anti-Corruption Hotline and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

The outcome of the departmental investigation will determine whether additional disciplinary measures or criminal charges will be pursued against the officer.

SAPS said it remains committed to rooting out corruption within its ranks and strengthening accountability to maintain public confidence in policing.