DRIVERS LICENCE TESTING EXAMINERS AND DRIVING SCHOOL OWNERS ARRESTED FOR FRAUD , CORRUPTION AND CONTRAVENING THE NATIONAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACT
MPUMALANGA : Fourteen suspects between the ages of 34 and 59, were arrested during a multidisciplinary intelligence driven joint operation by a team, comprising of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Mpumalanga , Road Traffic Management Corporation and Crime Intelligence at Sabie, Graskop, Lydenburg and Verena respectively, for fraud, corruption and contravening the national road traffic act on Monday, 16 September 2024.
Their arrest followed after an investigation carried forward by the Hawks Mpumalanga based Serious Corruption Investigation in collaboration with the National Road Traffic Management Corporation, regarding drivers licence testing examiners who colluded with driving school owners to issue learners and drivers licences to applicants without following due processes by not conducting routine test and assisting the applicants when they write learners licences.
During 2021, information from Crime Intelligence led the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation to register a project under the name Kwanele.
Unconventional investigation methodology was applied. Drivers licenses were obtained through corrupt officials and driving school operators.
During the process of obtaining learners’ licences, applicants were assisted or given answers by the examiners who were working with driving school owners to facilitate the exercise. Driver’s licences were allegedly issued to applicants without being tested after paying exorbitant amount of cash.
Warrant of arrest was authorised and executed on Monday , 16 September 2024, at different testing stations simultaneously .The suspects were arrested, charged some taken to court for first court appearances while others were remanded in custody pending their appearances on Tuesday, 17 September 2024,
The Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Gerber and the CEO of the RTMC , appreciated the collaboration by the team who worked tirelessly around the clock, to ensure that the operation was concluded successfully and all targets are behind the bars.
He further said that ” as the Hawks together with other law enforcement agencies, we shall investigate and arrest all corrupt law enforcement officials within the system, without fear and favor. He further urged the public to report such incidents. He further emphasized that corruption cannot survive if the public refuse to pay bribes to obtain fraudulent licenses. He warned members of the public to refrain from paying bribes in whatever form as they themselves can be prosecuted in terms of legislation. He concluded by applauding his team for the work done and emphasized that more arrests are to come. Officials need to do the work they are paid for and not abuse their powers as a source of income!
