MASERU — A traffic officer who solicited a bribe from a taxi owner appeared in the Mohale’s Hoek Magistrate’s Court on Thursday to answer a charge of corruption.
Police spokesman Masupha Masupha said the officer demanded a M1 500 bribe from the taxi owner before issuing out a D-Permit certificate which allows him to ferry passengers.
The man reported the matter to the police who went on to set up a trap for the traffic officer.
“We received a call from a certain man who reported that an officer at the traffic department wanted him to pay a bribe before she could assist him,” Masupha said.
The woman was subsequently arrested following a police trap.
She was released on free bail.
The arrest comes barely a year after the police smashed a syndicate in Maseru that issued fake government documents.
A Sekamaneng taxi owner was charged after he was found in possession of fake court orders, temporary driving licenses, D-Permits, car disks and vehicle registration books.
The suspect was also found in possession of blank blue papers which are used to make blue cards which show vehicle ownership.
The man who was also charged with motor vehicle theft had already produced some fake blue cards when the police raided his home.
The suspect also had official stamps, traders’ licenses, readily approved sick leaves and outdated temporary travelling documents.
Police said the suspect was issuing certified court orders to some crime suspects who produced them at the police for their early release from custody.
