A nine-month-long Hawks investigation bore fruit on Monday when they arrested nine suspects for fraud and corruption at traffic stations and driving schools in Potchefstroom.
The Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in North West arrested four licensing officers, three driving school owners and two driving school instructors on Monday and more arrests are imminent.
However, the euphoria was shortlived when the case against the nine suspects was provisionally withdrawn in the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
According to Capt. Hlangelani Rikhotso, the Hawks spokesperson, the investigations into the matter are ongoing. ‘The project-driven investigation was aimed at dismantling fraud and corrupt activities at traffic stations and driving schools within the province,’ she said.
R5 000 to R10 000 charged for driver’s licence without being tested
Rikhotso says the Hawks received information alleging that driving school owners collude with examiners by issuing learner’s and driver’s licences to members of the public at a pre-determined fee.
‘The examiner would allegedly mark the answers on the learners’ tests with a sharp object, which would only be seen by the person who paid. The applicants would allegedly also get a driver’s licence without being tested, after paying a fee ranging between R5 000 and R10 000.’ Furthermore, Rikhotso explained that a simultaneous operation was also enacted in Mogwase where two driving licence officer, one driving school owner and two driving instructors were arrested. They appeared in the Mogwase Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday).
He said altogether, thirteen suspects aged between 29 and 66 were arrested in the two towns on Monday.
On Tuesday, a number of community members were stranded at the Potchefstroom testing station.
A stressed applicant says he was supposed to have written his learner’s licence test on Tuesday but his money for the appointment was refunded without explanation.
‘They never informed us about when we should come back. There isn’t a single lorry or car in sight for driver’s licence tests,’ he added.
Four licensing officers traumatised by the incident
The J.B. Marks municipality spokesperson, Wille Maphosa says the four officers have been traumatised by the incident and are currently receiving counselling.
‘They are back at work and performing their duties,’ he said.
Maphosa says the testing station is currently operating and accepting new applications for driver’s and learners’ licences.
