Hawks arrest four in learner’s and driver’s licence fraud scheme in Limpopo

The crackdown on the illegal issuing of learner’s and driver’s licences continues as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) arrested a traffic examiner, an ex-examiner, and two driving school owners.

The four suspects, aged between 37 and 61, were arrested by the Hawks on Tuesday in Lephalale, Limpopo, for alleged fraud, corruption, and money laundering.

The examiners at the Lephalale Testing Station are accused of conspiring with the operators of driving schools to defraud the Department of Road and Transport in 2021.

Illegally issuing learner’s and driver’s licences

The officers allegedly provided learner’s and driver’s licences to applicants without adhering to the correct procedures in exchange for money.

Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa said the information about the suspects was thereafter brought to the attention of the Polokwane-based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) and the Road Traffic Management Cooperation (RTMC).

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“A case docket of fraud and corruption was opened. After completion of the investigations, the Hawks referred the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a decision,” Mmuroa said.

The NPA approved the arrest warrants for the suspects.

The RTMC and SCI conducted a joint inquiry, resulting in the arrest of 11 accused in February 2025. Police then launched a manhunt for the remaining suspects.

11 arrested in February

During the operation, the arresting team found one of the examiners invigilating people who were writing their learner’s licence tests.

Preliminary investigations revealed discrepancies in the list of writers, and further investigation uncovered fraud and corruption.

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The matter was referred to the NPA, and the warrant of arrest was issued against the examiner. She later contacted authorities and surrendered herself to the Hawks at Lephalale Police Station.

Mmuroa reported that officers traced and apprehended three additional suspects in the area.

All four suspects were scheduled to make their first court appearance in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 28 May 2025, to face charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering.

Fraud, corruption, and money laundering

More arrests are imminent, according to the Hawks.

Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender, the provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, has demonstrated some confidence in this unit and has complimented the arresting officers.

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“I believe in this team, and I know that they will do all of their best to crack this case,” Govender said.