A traffic officer accused of corruption for allegedly soliciting bribes from drivers has been released on R3 000 bail .
|||Cape Town - A traffic officer accused of corruption for allegedly soliciting bribes from drivers has been released on R3 000 bail in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court.
Benzil Ramati had spent the Easter weekend behind bars. He was arrested last week on Monday for allegedly taking money from a driver whose vehicle was due to undergo a roadworthy test. The vehicle was not tested but it obtained a roadworthy certificate.
Prosecutor Pumlani Mpepuka told the court on Tuesday that the State was not opposed to Ramati’s release but called for strict bail conditions, including that he be barred from contacting fellow traffic officers until the trial was over, and that he report to the Macassar police station twice a week.
Ramati’s lawyer, Gonville Michaels, had no objections and said Ramati had been suspended so would not be in contact with colleagues.
The arrests of Ramati and another officer, Frickel Terblanche, came after members of the public reported irregularities. Suspected of taking bribes from motorists, the two men were monitored.
Terblanche appeared in the George Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday, also on a charge of corruption. He too was released on bail of R3 000, and is due to go back to court on April 20.
During his first court appearance last week, the court heard that Ramati, who is from Pacaltsdorp near George, would be staying in Cape Town for the duration of the case.
The investigating officer had verified his alternative address in Macassar over the weekend and confirmed that bail could be granted.
Ramati must report to the Macassar police station every Monday and Friday between 8am and 8pm.
Ramati is due to appear in court again on May 8.
jade.otto@inl.co.za
Cape Argus