A taxi driver who allegedly tried to bribe police officers with R15 000 has been arrested and charged with bribery.

The man allegedly flashed a wad of notes at the men in uniform, but instead found himself in the back of a police van, with the money seized as an exhibit.

The 30-year-old from Soweto man was nabbed on Wednesday when officers pounced on him at his home. They had gone to his house with a man who claimed to have been hijacked by him last week.

The complainant - also a taxi driver - told police he'd been hijacked in Rockville, Soweto.

On Wednesday the complainant received a call from a man who told him to go to a house in Zondi to fetch his firearm and cellphone, taken when he was hijacked. No mention was made of his hijacked Hi-Ace taxi.

Instead of going to the house alone, the man alerted the police, who accompanied him. They searched the house and found the victim's firearm and cellphone but not his taxi.

Director Govindsamy Mariemuthoo of the Gauteng police said: "A further search revealed four firearms and vehicle spares - including three new engines, tyres, seats and radios - to the value of R60 000."

The man was arrested and charged with robbery of a vehicle, armed robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and stolen property, and bribery.

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