Malambe was arrested earlier on Monday by the Nelspruit Hawks and appeared briefly in court later on the same day.
The arrest follows allegations that he demanded a bribe after arresting a foreign national for working as a street vendor without a valid work permit.
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Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi says Malambe confiscated the travel document of the 33-year-old female victim, as well as the identity document of her 42-year-old South African employer. He then allegedly demanded payment of R2 500 to return the documents.
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The matter was subsequently reported to the Hawks who set up a sting operation and provided operational money that was handed over to the accused as part of the operation. During the investigation, the alleged bribe demand was reduced from R2 500 to R1 500.
Following the payment, members of the Hawks apprehended the accused, who was found in possession of the state money. The confiscated documents were also recovered.
The case was postponed to 26 June.
