A LONG-SERVING officer at Erongo's Nampol traffic department - who was awarded the traffic officer of the year trophy in 2009 - appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate's Court yesterday on a charge under the Anti-Corruption Act.

Constable Johannes Geiseb, who has been in the traffic division for nearly a decade, was arrested in Swakopmund on Tuesday night after he allegedly solicited a bribe of N$1 000 from a local resident.

The Namibian understands that Geiseb had to execute a warrant of arrest on Tuesday on a local resident who had failed to pay a traffic fine of N$2 000. It is alleged that when he went to the person's home, he suggested that the person pay him half of the fine in order to escape arrest. He was apparently wearing his police uniform and driving a police vehicle at the time.

Officers of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the police arrested him shortly afterward and recovered the alleged bribe money.

Geiseb was granted bail of N$4 000 on condition that he makes no contact with the State witness. He is not allowed to leave the district of Swakopmund without the permission of the ACC's investigating officer.

His request for a lower bail amount was rejected.

"You must understand that you face extremely serious charges," said Magistrate Hannelie Prinsloo.

The case was postponed to March 26 to allow Geiseb to find legal representation. The State was represented by prosecutor Hezekiel Iipinge.

Further possible incidents of extortion are being investigated, apparently dating back as far as 2011.