DA Demands Action From Lesufi After JMPD Officer Allegedly Took R1.5 Million Bribe in One Day
- The Democratic Alliance has called on Gauteng Premier Panyaza to take action against wrongdoing in law enforcement agencies
- Lesufi's answers to questions from the party revealed 456 fraud, corruption, extortion and theft complaints across Gauteng's metro and traffic police
- The Johannesburg Metro Police Department led the way with 185 complaints, but the department could not confirm how many officers face criminal charges
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Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
GAUTENG - A single Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) official allegedly accepted a bribe of R1.5 million in one day, according to figures that emerged from Premier Panyaza Lesufi's own written reply to questions posed by the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The DA in the Gauteng Legislature published the findings on Monday, 7 September 2026, after tabling questions about corruption within four of the province's law enforcement agencies: the JMPD, Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP), Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), and Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD).
456 complaints logged over four years
Premier Lesufi's reply confirmed that 456 complaints of fraud, corruption, extortion, and theft were formally recorded across the four agencies between 2022 and 2026.
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JMPD recorded the highest number at 185 complaints, with TMPD close behind at 180. Of all implicated officers across the agencies, only 175, equating to 38.3%, have been criminally charged.
The DA described the charging rate as alarming, noting that JMPD was unable to provide the Premier with accurate figures on how many of its officers currently face criminal proceedings. The party said this pointed to a significant breakdown in internal oversight within the department.
Reported bribe amounts ranged from several hundred rand to the R1.5 million single-day figure, leading the DA to characterise the situation not as isolated misconduct but as "organised extortion" operating openly on Gauteng's roads.
DA calls for immediate reforms
The DA has now called on Premier Lesufi to respond with transparency and consequence, arguing that residents should not face a choice between following the law and being extorted by officers tasked with enforcing it.
The party outlined a series of reforms it intends to implement once in government. These include mandatory body cameras for all metro and traffic police officers, annual lifestyle audits, and compulsory asset disclosures.
Other stories about the DA's unhappiness with Lesufi
- In September 2024, the DA called on Lesufi to remove Arnold Malotana as Gauteng’s Head of Health.
- In October 2024, the party demanded that Lesufi release forensic reports, saying he was covering up for comrades.
- Lesufi hit back at the DA, saying that he was tired of the party’s obsession with him.
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Source: Briefly News
