How to handle a South African cop asking you for a bribe

[LazyLion]

The ABSOLUTE BEST way is to have a dashcam hidden and pointed at your drivers window. Or if you have a normal dash cam, to turn it to the window before the cop sees you. You will need hard evidence. Otherwise in court it will be dismissed for lack of evidence, and then you will still be held liable for the fake offence.

 

[Urist]

The ABSOLUTE BEST way is to have a dashcam hidden and pointed at your drivers window. Or if you have a normal dash cam, to turn it to the window before the cop sees you. You will need hard evidence. Otherwise in court it will be dismissed for lack of evidence, and then you will still be held liable for the fake offence.

They had a thing about this on radio earlier this wee*k*. You're allowed to record, but not surreptitiously * edited a spelling mistake because i`m a mybb addict trying to type on my cellphone

 

[rietrot]

Play dumb.

I've never had one ask for a bribe directly. They always just hint at it. Be friendly and just take whatever BS fine he is writing and then bin the fine

 

[Flanders]

What about just driving into them and wiping them off with your windscreen wipers like that lady earlier this week?

 

[Jchan11hk]

"He added that if a peace officer falsely alleges that you have committed an offence, you should not argue against it, but simply wait for your trial instead."

My experience in situations where cops have falsely accused me of nonsense to try and solicit a bribe (and yes it's happened more than once) has been that while you shouldn't be belligerent or give them any grounds to arrest you, you should politely make it crystal clear that you will go to court if necessary and will lay a complaint against them. In all cases, they've eventually backed down and just waved me on. They are waiting for the suckers who will either just pay, or go ballistic so that they can threaten them with arrest.

Good to know that I am not the only one, but they clean my wallet everytime

 

[Swa]

"How to handle a South African cop asking you for a bribe":
If you're guilty pay it. Everyone else does.
If not just fight the bogus charge in court if it ever comes to that, most of the time they won't issue a fine.

 

[GavinHRC]

This.

Most of the time they're too lazy to be bothered with paperwork and will let you go.

This is anecdotal though, so results may vary.

Worked a few times for me.

 

[Electron1]

That's why one needs to be prepared. Make a small mark on a R100 note, or choose one with serial numbers, photograph it and keep it in your wallet, don't use it until the day comes, pay the bribe with it, and then lay a charge at the SAPS. The corrupt one will need to explain the note in his/her possession.
The downside is that if successful, this may result in court time a few years later, and only a slap on the wrist for the cop.

Good idea - Just checked, all my R100 notes have serial numbers.

 

[neoprema]

But its moot now with the new SAPS phone app right? you just tap "Pay Bribe" on the app and enter the officer ID..
They did say it will have features South Africans need.

 

[The Trutherizer]

I normally play dumb and ask them to write out the fine.

That is the only way to go.

 

[Zophos]

I think people are forgetting that this is Africa. When we travel to certain African countries we get a bribe allowance from the company for police blockades. It is 'normal' practice to bribe the police.

I am not saying that it is the right way. All I am saying is... TIA

 

[_TrXtR_]

Rather just pay it. Cops are known to rape people they arrest no matter the gender

 

[AstroTurf]

I just ignore the hints and patiently wait for them to either let me go my way or give me a fine.

 

[Urist]

Seems like the newest thing is that they stop you and tell you that you're speeding and you passed a speed limit sign just around the corner,
They tell you that you were doing 100 in a 60 zone, and they're going to have to take you in, that is when they try and solicit a bribe when you start pleading.
They tried this on me twice already in the nw, called them out on it both times. It's easy to believe that you just missed the sign, and no one wants to go back and check.
I think most people will just pay the R100 toll charge to these bridge trolls and get it over with

Once upon a time there were three billy goats, who were to go up to the hillside to make themselves fat, and the name of all three was "Gruff."

On the way up was a bridge over a cascading stream they had to cross; and under the bridge lived a great ugly troll , with eyes as big as saucers, and a nose as long as a poker.
So first of all came the youngest Billy Goat Gruff to cross the bridge.
"Trip, trap, trip, trap! " went the bridge.
"Who's that tripping over my bridge?" roared the troll .
"Oh, it is only I, the tiniest Billy Goat Gruff , and I'm going up to the hillside to make myself fat," said the billy goat, with such a small voice.
"Now, I'm coming to gobble you up," said the troll.
"Oh, no! pray don't take me. I'm too little, that I am," said the billy goat. "Wait a bit till the second Billy Goat Gruff comes. He's much bigger."
"Well, be off with you," said the troll.
A little while after came the second Billy Goat Gruff to cross the bridge.
Trip, trap, trip, trap, trip, trap, went the bridge.

"Who's that tripping over my bridge?" roared the troll.
"Oh, it's the second Billy Goat Gruff , and I'm going up to the hillside to make myself fat," said the billy goat, who hadn't such a small voice.
"Now I'm coming to gobble you up," said the troll.
"Oh, no! Don't take me. Wait a little till the big Billy Goat Gruff comes. He's much bigger."
"Very well! Be off with you," said the troll.
But just then up came the big Billy Goat Gruff .

Trip, trap, trip, trap, trip, trap! went the bridge, for the billy goat was so heavy that the bridge creaked and groaned under him.
"Who's that tramping over my bridge?" roared the troll.
"It's I! The big Billy Goat Gruff ," said the billy goat, who had an ugly hoarse voice of his own.
"Now I 'm coming to gobble you up," roared the troll.

Well, come along! I've got two spears,
And I'll poke your eyeballs out at your ears;
I've got besides two curling-stones,
And I'll crush you to bits, body and bones.

That was what the big billy goat said. And then he flew at the troll, and poked his eyes out with his horns, and crushed him to bits, body and bones, and tossed him out into the cascade, and after that he went up to the hillside. There the billy goats got so fat they were scarcely able to walk home again. And if the fat hasn't fallen off them, why, they're still fat; and so,

Snip, snap, snout.
This tale's told out.

 

[oRiX]

My answer would be
1: I broke the law, give me a fine.
2: Sure is, hopefully we get some rain soon.

Both of which put the ball squarely back in the officer's court. If you as a law abiding citizen see those as an opportunity to pay a bribe to avoid a fine, you should be locked up just as much as the officer. Stop being part of the problem.

The issue is when they start threatening to take you to jail. Then all they have to do is say you called them an illegal word. Or they just decide to take you for a drive on Saturday night and threaten to drop you off in Lavender Hill, that's an old favourite.

Being a 'law abiding citizen' isn't a suit of armour and won't protect you from baddies, it might just help when/if you see a magistrate with some sense. In the end these bullies can play for keeps, they have seen and done things that are the stuff of nightmares, and there is little you can do about being an unwilling participant in their plans if they so desire.

 

[ArmatageShanks]

Simple, pay it or pay the fine, if you have done nothing wrong don't be a ****, sign and go dispute it, if the officer goes that far.

 

[Jabulani22]

The solution to this is simple , lots and lots of road monitoring cameras and remove the ability of police to fine people for just about anything except under roadblock conditions and even then only with a bodycam.
Rather put them to the more pressing business of beating (career) criminals.

 

[Jopie Fourie]

This is South Africa, no different than Zim or Mozambique. Always ensure you have bribe money with you. Split the notes and do not keep it together so that the police sees it all. Works like a charm, here in SA, Zim and Mozambique.

 

[Urist]

The solution to this is simple , lots and lots of road monitoring cameras and remove the ability of police to fine people for just about anything except under roadblock conditions and even then only with a bodycam.
Rather put them to the more pressing business of beating (career) criminals.

dunno... i`m willing to pay that R100 bribe for a semblance of law and order on the streets. Let them go buy a coke... they've been standing in the sun all day.

 

[Jabulani22]

dunno... i`m willing to pay that R100 bribe for a semblance of law and order on the streets. Let them go buy a coke... they've been standing in the sun all day.

That r100 is what is ruining any semblance of law and they get paid to stand in the sun all day , would you tip your bank at the end of the month for looking after your money ?