A total of 12 vehicle testing station officials appeared before the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Court yesterday on charges of fraud and forgery.

The 12 suspects were examiners and cashiers at a privately owned vehicle testing station in the city and stand accused of issuing 45 roadworthy vehicle certificates without physically inspecting the vehicles.

According to a statement by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the suspects manipulated and abused systems to issue the certificates between January 2019 and April 2021.

RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane says the modus operandi allegedly involved the use of an innocent person’s identity document to create the impression that they had presented a vehicle for roadworthy tests.

“Test sheets would be filled out as if the vehicles were tested. The alleged conduct of these suspects undermines national efforts to make South Africa’s roads safer,” his statement reads.

Meanwhile, Limpopo Hawks provincial spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa said a case of fraud and forgery was opened at the Westernburg Police Station and was transferred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for further handling.

Mmuroa says the suspects were successfully traced and arrested in different provinces, including Limpopo, Gauteng, and KZN, in May during Operation Shot Left.

“All 13 suspects were warned to appear in court, and only 12 appeared as one had passed on. They will next appear on August 12 for a possible plea,” he adds.