Johannesburg - A senior prosecutor and two others have been arrested for allegedly taking an estimated R5m in bribes to cancel summonses served on speeding motorists, Johannesburg police said on Friday.
Captain Pinky Tsinyane said the 49-year-old prosecutor was arrested on Thursday morning in his office at the Johannesburg Traffic Court.
A tout, who solicited clients at the court on behalf of lawyers, was also being held in connection with the scam, Tsinyane said.
Another man, who monitored surveillance cameras at the court, handed himself in later on Thursday for the same offence.
R2 000 to cancel summonses
"The men were allegedly charging motorists R2 000 in order to cancel their summonses," said Tsinyane.
"This was going on for a period of two years, which made them pocket an amount estimated at R5m," she said.
Tsinyane said they had been charged with corruption.
She said the arrests followed an investigation by the Hawks that started in October.
A man paid the R2 000 to the court official, thinking it was going to cover the speeding offence, Tsinyane said.
"He then complained to the Johannesburg metro police department about not getting a receipt for the money he paid. This resulted in the investigation of the syndicate."
Tsinyane said more arrests were expected.
The three arrested so far were expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday.
