MPUMALANGA - A professional nurse, Martin Mandla Mlotshwa (57), was arrested by members of the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation Unit yesterday, July 2, at his place of work at a clinic in the province.

It is alleged that a patient, who was more than 12 weeks pregnant, went to the clinic to request a termination of pregnancy. The accused, Mlotshwa, demanded a bribe of R700 as termination was only legal in the first trimester. The pregnant woman then reported the matter to the Hawks who set a trap for Mlotshwa. Upon receipt of the money from the victim, he was immediately arrested on a charge of corruption.  

Mlotshwa appeared in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court today, July 3, and was released on R500 bail. The case was postponed to July 19 for further investigation.  

The Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Maj General Zodwa Mokoena said that corruption negatively impacts on development and service delivery. Mokoena added that victims of these corrupt deeds were being deprived of their rights because of greed. He encouraged communities to report corrupt activities to authorities immediately.

“Corruption undermines good governance and the rule of law to the detriment of economic growth,” Mokoena concluded.

Editor: Anchen Coetzee
Subeditor: Lynette Brink
Submitted by: Capt Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi
Image URL (Digitally enhanced: AIT)