Hawks
1Min
South Africa
Dec 10, 2025
A Mpumalanga traffic officer who demanded a R50 bribe from a motorist has escaped jail time after the Ermelo Magistrate’s court handed her a wholly suspended sentence. The 48-year-old Thembisile Yende was arrested in 2022 following complaints from motorists in Ermelo about traffic officials allegedly soliciting cash to ignore violations.
A Mpumalanga traffic officer who demanded a R50 bribe from a motorist has escaped jail time after the Ermelo Magistrate’s court handed her a wholly suspended sentence.
The Hawks said 48-year-old Thembisile Yende was arrested in 2022 following complaints from motorists in Ermelo about traffic officials allegedly soliciting cash to ignore violations.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said an undercover operation was conducted on 30 March 2022. “After a lengthy observation, a police agent was obliged to pay R50 for failure to display the vehicle's registration plates,” Nkosi.
Nkosi said Yende was arrested and made several court appearances until she was sentenced by Ermelo Magistrate's Court last Tuesday.
She was sentenced to five years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition that she is not found guilty of similar offence.
Mpumalanga Hawks head Major General Nico Gerber said the guilty verdict should send a strong message to other officials. “Suspended sentences for corruption are not the desired outcome, but as the DPCI, we abide by the verdict of the courts,” he said.
