Hlokomelo Mabogale
In an effort to get rid of rotten potatoes in the traffic department, the Limpopo Hawks have successfully convinced the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday about the two Tzaneen Provincial traffic officials namely Mabogo Tshifhelimbilu (43), and Nhlamulo Shivambu (34) on their corruption ways.
The conviction came after the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in collaboration with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) embarked on an operation named Siyabangena that was aimed at addressing corrupt activities by traffic officials in December 2017.
Tshifhelimbilu, Shivambu and eleven (11) other traffic officials stationed at Tzaneen and Bolebedu respectively were arrested for receiving bribes ranging from R100, 00 to R2000, 00 from motorists who contravened the Road Traffic Act, particularly those who were caught exceeding the speed limit.
Captain Matimba Maluleke said implicated officials were granted bail on different dates following their court appearances.
Five of the accused officials have already been convicted and sentenced. Tshifhelimbilu and Shivambu have been remanded in custody after their bail was withdrawn pending their sentencing on the 25 August 2020. Meanwhile, their co-accused, Clifford Lubisi is awaiting judgement on 31 August 2020.
