By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
Bongani Lucky Lubelo48), a weighbridge master stationed at the Wonderfontein Weighbridge is in hot water for allegedly soliciting a bribe from a truck driver.
The incident reportedly took place on Saturday 7 September.
According to Mpumalanga spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, a truck driver was driving along the N4 between Belfast and Wonderfontein Weighbridge when he was stopped by the suspect who was clad in full uniform and driving a marked vehicle.
“ The scale master weighed the truck and informed the driver that it was overloaded with 7 tons. The scale master told the driver that he would be arrested for overloading unless he paid R6000 gratification,” said Sekgotodi.
She said the truck driver phoned the owner and explained the situation. The owner reportedly transferred an amount of R5000 into the driver’s FNB account. The scale master is alleged to have ordered the driver to withdraw the money at the nearby Puma filling station, but the driver only managed to withdraw R3000.
“ He(the driver) had R1000 in his possession and it was also demanded. The driver took a photograph of the money and handed the total amount of R4000 to the scale master. He was further instructed to transfer R2500 through EFT,” said Sekgotodi.
The truck owner allegedly reported the incident to the Road Traffic Management Corporation(RTMC) and the Hawks Middleburg-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation was immediately alerted. According to Sekgotodi, the law enforcement agency and RTMC drove to the said Weighbridge.
“ The scale master was interviewed and searched. The amount of R1500 was found in his possession. He further pointed the rest of the money(R2500) hidden under bricks. The serial numbers were compared to the pictures taken by the truck driver and they corresponded. An amount of R6490 was recovered,” she said.
According to Sekgotodi, Lubelo appeared before the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Monday 9 September, facing a charge of corruption. He was granted bail of R1,500 and his case was postponed to 16 September for further investigation.
