Seven officials between the ages of 37 and 62 were arrested yesterday for allegedly selling driving licences and learner licences at Thabazimbi Traffic Department in Limpopo.

The suspects were arrested in a joint operation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit and the National Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) as part of Operation Combination to combat fraud and corruption related to the issuing of driving licences.

They are due to appear in court soon.

11 arrested at Lephalale Licensing Department

In 2021, an intensive investigation was launched to identify officials who were issuing driving licences and learner licences ‘without following proper procedures in return for gratification’.

“The total number arrested in connection with alleged corruption and fraud at Lephalale Licensing Department stands at 11. Seven more arrests were conducted over the weekend and [these] suspects made their first [court] appearance [yesterday].

According to a post on RTMC’s Facebook page, the 11 accused include eight examiners of licences, an admin clerk and two driving school instructors. They were granted R8 000 bail by the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court.

“The Hawks seized gadgets believed to contain information that could be helpful to the investigation. The team is still busy with the operation to address fraud and corruption-related offences within Limpopo. More arrests are imminent,” the RTMC said.

Limpopo acting head of the Hawks, Brigadier Desmond Alexander, applauded the team for making arrests, while RTMC CEO advocate Makhosini Msibi welcomed the arrests as a sign of government’s commitment to address all key factors that lead to road crashes and fatalities on  South African roads.

“Fraud and corruption related to the issuing of driver’s licences is one of the issues that undermine government’s efforts to improve road safety,” Msibi said. – SAnews.gov.za

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