Bloemfontein – Police have arrested eight driver licencing officials and agents suspected of fraud and corruption.
The arrests were conducted simultaneously at three sites in Petrusburg (Free State), Barkley West, and Kimberly in the Northern Cape.
Allegations were that unscrupulous agents were recruiting learner and driving licence applicants in the Free State Province.
For a fee, the agents allegedly liaised with officials and licensing authorities in the Northern Cape to issue licences to applicants without undergoing the required driving tests.
An intelligence-driven operation named “COMMANDO” uncovered entrenched fraud and corruption that extends to small rural towns on the countryside.
The National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit in collaboration with Crime Intelligence and the Organised Crime units of South African Police Services in the Free State made the arrests.
A vehicle that the agents allegedly used to commit the crime was seized as part of evidence.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation CEO, Advocate Makhosini Msibi, said the arrests reflect the government’s relentless efforts to weed out corruption at licensing centres.
In a related matter, police arrested four suspects for allegedly producing fake vehicle licence discs and operator cards in Mtubatuba, Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Last month 28 licensing officials and driving school operators were arrested in Mpumalanga and 11 in Limpopo on corruption and related charges.
Advocate Msibi has congratulated the investigators for doing their best to eliminate threats that undermine safety on the roads.
“Our Officers must intensify their work as we approach the festive season to assist the country to reduce factors that lead to road crashes and fatalities,” he said.
Members of the public are encouraged to report fraud and corruption on (083) 293-7989 or by emailing: Ntacu@rtmc.co.za
