The cost of the average bribe is R200, are you willing to give in to corruption by bribing a police officer? Did you know that paying a bribe or receiving one is punishable by imprisonment of up to 30 years? Here’s what to do when you are asked to pay a bribe.
According to a survey conducted by EthicsSA and an article in Business Tech, as many as 75% of South Africans who are asked for bribes have actually ended up bribing a police officer.
The cost of the average bribe is R200 and the most amount of bribes offered were in Limpopo.
Many citizens agree that the initiatives to combat bribery are few and far between. But perhaps we should also be taking a closer look at how many people are happy bribing a police officer and participating in this form of corruption.
The same survey, which involved 6,380 citizens found in Massmart stores in Gauteng, Cape Town, Polokwane, and Durban, found that only 25% of the respondents did not pay bribes when asked.
Enough with the negativity
Now, before we get into the topic of bribery and traffic cops, we think you should know that this blog is not about corruption in our country. There is enough negative information out there for you to read if that’s what you are after. This blog brings the facts, know-how, and how-to handle a situation when you are asked for a bribe. That’s it. Plain and simple.
Bribing a Police Officer – What to do when you are asked for a bribe
Far too many of us have encountered a traffic cop who pulls us over and asks for a bribe instead of sticking to his or her legal duty.
Some stories of drivers involved in a bribery situation have reported that the officers intimidated them with false accusations and claims in an attempt to get them to pay the bribe.
Although corruption is present, it certainly does not mean that all traffic cops are corrupt. The truth is that no one is really fully aware of the extent of corruption amongst traffic officers.
Bribing a police officer might seem like the easiest (and cheapest) way to get out of a traffic fine, but the sad reality is that this form of bribery just adds to the widespread corruption in our country.
If a police officer asks you for a bribe, it is your ethical and legal duty to refuse to pay it.
According to Justice Project SA, receiving or paying a bribe can lead to up to 30 years of imprisonment or a hefty fine (or both!).
Here’s what to do when an officer asks for a bribe
Do not accept the bribe
You can simply refuse to pay the bribe. If you were caught breaking the law (speeding, driving through a red light, etc.) then you must accept the fine and remain respectful towards the officer.
Do not give in to any threats
If a police officer is harassing you to pay a bribe and you did not break the law or do anything wrong, then ask him or her to write up the fine. In most situations, if you have not done anything wrong, then the officer is unlikely to write out the fine. If the officer does so, then he or she will have to create a paper trail that leads back to him or her.
If the police officer continues to harass you, then the police officer is committing a crime and you have the right to phone the police for assistance.
Report the officer
The majority of police officers who ask for bribes ensure that their badge number and name are not easily visible. If you are able to identify any information, then make a note of it. It will also help if you can write down any license plates and the location you were pulled over.
Ensure you DO NOT threaten the officer, simply take note of any details and report these at a later stage.
To report the officer, you can do so using these numbers: The SAPS anti-corruption unit number is 082 820 6467. Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is 0861 400 800.
Keep your car roadworthy and your license updated
The best way to avoid being pulled over is to ensure your car is roadworthy, keep up with regular maintenance, and always update your car license disc annually.
If you obey the road rules, keep your car in good shape and your license up to date, then your chances of getting pulled over are low.
You should also make sure your car is covered with comprehensive car insurance you can tailor to your budget.
Bribing a police officer is ethically and legally wrong, and you should not add to corruption in South Africa by agreeing to pay a bribe.
While you’re here, check out this blog on fun things to do while you’re stuck in traffic.
Your Insurance Family,
Oneplan
