A National Traffic Police (NTP) officer recently arrested a driver who was found with bags of dagga. The driver had offered the officer R10 000 as a bribe, which was rejected.
Image: Department of Transport / Facebook
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has issued a stark warning to traffic officers ahead of the Easter travel rush, with its chief executive Advocate Makhosini Msibi vowing to dismiss any officials found taking bribes during the peak period.
Addressing National Traffic Police officers in Tshwane ahead of their nationwide deployment, Msibi said misconduct within law enforcement would not be tolerated at a time when authorities are under pressure to reduce road fatalities.
“We cannot allow people to be among us. You cannot be friends with criminals,” Msibi said, adding that officers implicated in corruption, misuse of firearms, or reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol would face immediate consequences.
“Those who do wrong mabahambe (let them be fired).”
The warning comes as traffic volumes are expected to rise sharply from Thursday, particularly on major routes linking economic hubs to coastal and rural destinations. Among the busiest corridors anticipated are the N3 between Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, the N1 towards Polokwane, and the N2 stretching across the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.
The RTMC said highly visible law enforcement operations would be rolled out across these routes and alternative roads, with officers instructed to clamp down on lawlessness, including bribery and non-compliance among motorists and public transport operators.
In a notable shift in tone, the agency’s message focused not only on driver behaviour but also on internal discipline, positioning officer conduct as central to road safety outcomes.
Motorists have been urged to comply with road rules, avoid alcohol consumption, and refrain from speeding or reckless driving. Authorities also called for reduced speeds in residential areas to prevent pedestrian fatalities, while pedestrians were advised to stay off highways.
Law enforcement officers have further been instructed to remove hitchhikers from major routes, citing safety concerns.
Public transport operators found violating permit conditions will face heavy fines, the RTMC stated, as part of broader efforts to enforce compliance during one of the busiest travel periods on South Africa’s roads.
“Safety on the roads is a joint responsibility,” the agency said, emphasising that individual behaviour, both from motorists and officers, would determine the success of the Easter road safety campaign.
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