Comments on: Driving under the influence… of police corruption! http://www.thesoapbox.fm/2009/04/27/driving-under-the-influence-of-police-corruption/ Where South Africans Speak Out Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:21:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: B Ronald http://www.thesoapbox.fm/2009/04/27/driving-under-the-influence-of-police-corruption/comment-page-1/#comment-7 B Ronald Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:08:26 +0000 http://thesoapbox.fm/?p=98#comment-7 This type of activity is not only in Johannesburg area. We visited RSA in January 2008 and as tourists, drove up to the Kruger park. En route, we were stopped by police for "speeding" and they demanded to pay a spot fine of R750 with no receipt, no record of the fine. Tourists dont want to land up in a foreign jail so paying is a better choice. This type of activity is not only in Johannesburg area. We visited RSA in January 2008 and as tourists, drove up to the Kruger park. En route, we were stopped by police for “speeding” and they demanded to pay a spot fine of R750 with no receipt, no record of the fine. Tourists dont want to land up in a foreign jail so paying is a better choice.

]]> By: Mimi http://www.thesoapbox.fm/2009/04/27/driving-under-the-influence-of-police-corruption/comment-page-1/#comment-6 Mimi Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:08:05 +0000 http://thesoapbox.fm/?p=98#comment-6 Shocking that this is not an isolated incident! I also think that citizens should be informed of their rights in this sort of situation. For example, you have the right to ask when last the breathalyser was calibrated, or request a blood test instead (which is far more accurate). Any ideas on where to better research "road-block rights"? Shocking that this is not an isolated incident! I also think that citizens should be informed of their rights in this sort of situation. For example, you have the right to ask when last the breathalyser was calibrated, or request a blood test instead (which is far more accurate). Any ideas on where to better research “road-block rights”?

]]> By: Stefano di Trapani http://www.thesoapbox.fm/2009/04/27/driving-under-the-influence-of-police-corruption/comment-page-1/#comment-3 Stefano di Trapani Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:18:04 +0000 http://thesoapbox.fm/?p=98#comment-3 I spent two months working in Jozi this past Dec/Jan and experienced a similar situation. On route back to the hotel, we were pulled over in Houghton and the girl driving (who had not touched alcohol that evening) was accused of driving under the influence. The metro police officer interrogating the girl was quickly able to reduce her to tears and suggested we pay a "spot fine" of R750. Metro Police officers in Jozi's rich-kid suburbs can easily earn more than R2000 per night from "spot fines". Why wait for a salary increase? It is clear that the Metro Police in Jozi are targeting young people - it's easier to intimidate and extort money from a rich twenty something. I spent two months working in Jozi this past Dec/Jan and experienced a similar situation. On route back to the hotel, we were pulled over in Houghton and the girl driving (who had not touched alcohol that evening) was accused of driving under the influence.

The metro police officer interrogating the girl was quickly able to reduce her to tears and suggested we pay a “spot fine” of R750.

Metro Police officers in Jozi’s rich-kid suburbs can easily earn more than R2000 per night from “spot fines”. Why wait for a salary increase?

It is clear that the Metro Police in Jozi are targeting young people – it’s easier to intimidate and extort money from a rich twenty something.

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