A MPUMALANGA traffic officer caught on camera soliciting a R100 bribe from a motorcyclist may escape censure because he merely requested a "cold drink", but not in exchange for squashing a possible fine or arrest.

The man was caught by the motorcyclist's camera earlier this month and the video has since gone viral.

Mpumalanga community safety, security and liaison spokesman Joseph Mabuza said they had viewed the video of the traffic officer asking the motorcyclist why he had not brought him "cold drink".

"You didn't bring me some cold drink," asks the traffic officer. But the motorcyclist protests: "How can I put cold drink on my bike?"

At this point the traffic officer had the motorcyclist's gloves and only returned them after being handed a R100 note. He then helped the motorcyclist fit them and the rest of his equipment.

Mabuza said the officer's behaviour was unacceptable and unethical for a law enforcement officer. However, Mabuza distanced the department from the officer, saying the man was not a provincial official based on the uniform he was wearing in the video.

"The municipality concerned must reprimand the officer," Mabuza said.

He said judging by the video, the traffic officer might belong to the Steve Tshwete local municipality (in Middelburg), where it has now been referred.

When asked where he was going, the motorcyclist said he was off to a nearby biker's rally.

Cosatu's anti-graft watchdog, Corruption Watch, noted in its 2014 annual report that abuse of power was the predominant type of corruption. According to Corruption Watch, abuse of power is when a government official abuses their position for personal gain.

"Bribery is also on the rise, with a spike in reports about traffic and licensing corruption," it noted in the report released last week.

Abuse of power and bribery accounted for nearly 60% of cases reported to Corruption Watch in 2014.

sidimbal@sowetan.co.za