She wanted to be a cop: Woman arrested in Pretoria after paying R3,000 bribe for police recruitment
A 22-year-old woman who allegedly paid R3,000 in an attempt to bribe a senior Tshwane Metro Police Department official to secure her recruitment in the TMPD has been released on warning, and her case has been postponed to 20 February 2026.
Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Singo, said Lesudi Tshegofatso Thaluki was arrested on Thursday, 22 January 2026, by the Pretoria-based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) unit.
Her arrest followed a police operation conducted after she allegedly handed over R3,000 to the senior TMPD officer, who was part of the undercover operation, at Wonderboom Junction Shopping Centre.
According to the Hawks, the matter started on 9 January 2026 when a TMPD commissioner received an email from the suspect, who claimed she had been an unsuccessful applicant in the City of Tshwane’s recruitment process.
In that email, she allegedly asked the commissioner to assist in securing her appointment and offered a gratification of R10,000 in return.
The commissioner reported the incident to the Hawks’ SCI, prompting an investigation that led to the undercover operation and Thaluki’s arrest.
Singo said the swift action by investigators prevented the alleged bribery attempt from succeeding.
Thaluki made her first appearance before the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court on Friday and is expected to return next month as the investigation continues.
Meanwhile, the provincial head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, has commended the Serious Corruption Investigation team for their swift response to the complaint.
Kadwa also urged public officials to promptly report any acts of corruption to the Hawks.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News