Former road traffic superintendent in dock for allegedly intimidating women drivers

A FORMER road traffic superintendent, who allegedly intimidated two women and kidnapped one after they were stopped for apparently not having their number plates properly secured, made his first appearance in the Durban Magistrate's Court last Wednesday. 

Vincent Botha, 55, was charged with intimidation, kidnapping, assault, and failure to lock away a firearm in a prescribed safe. 

He was arrested by members of the Hawks Provincial Tracking Team last Sunday. 

At the time of the alleged incidents, Botha was employed by the Road Traffic Management Corporation in the National Traffic Police division. 

According to the charge sheet, it is alleged that Botha had stopped one of the complainants who was travelling in the Durban central area on October 19, 2022. 

He allegedly intimidated the woman by demanding that she pay the traffic fine or “there could be consequences”. 

According to the charge sheet, the second complainant was stopped while driving along Meridian Drive in uMhlanga on October 21, 2022. 

Botha allegedly shouted that he was going to use excessive force on her. He is also alleged to have handcuffed her and placed her into his vehicle, and thereafter shoved her handbag onto her.

Botha is also accused of failing to lock away a firearm, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol on July 14, 2025. 

The State, represented by prosecutor Calvin Govender, asked for an adjournment for a formal bail application this week. 

Botha was remanded into police custody. 

THE POST