Mfanafuthi Gift Hleza (32), a senior traffic officer from Msukalikwa Local Municipality, was arrested on charges of alleged corruption during a multi-disciplinary intelligence driven operation. The operation was undertaken by members of the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team in Mpumalanga, together with members of Road Traffic Management Cooperation (RTMC) Head Office on Wednesday, 3 March 2021. The arrest followed after several complaints were received about the law enforcement officers who were allegedly soliciting bribes from the public who commit traffic violations.

The operation was conducted on 22 February 2021, where the said officer allegedly demanded bribery from the officials (undercover agent) . Further investigation also established that members of the public who committed serious traffic violations were not prosecuted, but gratifications were allegedly paid to corrupt officials. The suspect appeared before the Ermelo Magistrate Court on the same day and he was released on R1500 bail. The case has been postponed to 26 March 2021 for further investigation.