The man wanted the release of 6 of his 14 unroadworthy buses

A Gauteng bus owner has been arrested for trying to pay a R60,000 bribe to the head of the Delareyville traffic station, the North West safety department said on Tuesday.

The man wanted the release of six of his 14 unroadworthy buses, which were discontinued and impounded by traffic officials on Sunday, said departmental spokesman Simon Mmope.

The station head reported the matter to the police’s special crime unit immediately after being offered the bribe on Monday, and was advised to play along.

The bus owner and a colleague offered him R7,000 cash up front with the balance to paid when the buses were released.

They gave the station head a list of the six buses they wanted released.

“The two were arrested and the police found an amount worth R30,000 with them,” said Mmope. 

They would appear in the Delareyville Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges relating to bribery.