A Zimbabwean man, Felix Tandenda Chiyongwa, found himself in hot water after attempting to bribe two policemen with R50. As a result, he was sentenced to a hefty R50,000 fine or five years in prison for corruption. In addition, Chiyongwa was also ordered to pay a R5,000 fine or face a one-year sentence for being an illegal immigrant.
Despite pleading guilty to the charges, Chiyongwa’s attempts to evade arrest backfired when he tried to offer a bribe to the officers. The incident occurred on October 5 in Beitbridge, where he presented an expired passport to the police and attempted to bribe them to avoid being taken into custody.
Senior state advocate Martin Molokwane emphasized the importance of police officers in maintaining the country’s security and crime prevention, likening them to the “immune system” of the nation. Any form of corruption against them undermines this vital system.
This case serves as a reminder that attempts to bribe law enforcement officials are unacceptable and punishable by law.