POLOKWANE – MEC Makoma Makhurupetje says fraud and corruption cannot be allowed to take root in testing stations following the arrest of four officials who were allegedly involved in acts of fraud and corruption at the Thusalushaka Testing Station in Musina.

Read more: Four Musina vehicle testing station officials arrested for issuing fraudulent certificates

The arrests come hardly three months after two officials were arrested in December, at the same station, for the same issue.

Read more: MUSINA: Two private vehicle testing centre officials arrested on allegations of fraud

The four officials were caught after allegedly colluding to use the identity particulars of a 60-year-old man to generate roadworthy certificates for scores of vehicles that were never brought to the testing station for examination.

“Fraud and corruption cannot be allowed to take root in testing stations. We are determined to stop it on its tracks because we have seen that it directly contributes to the killing of innocent lives as some of the fatal accidents we have seen, emanate from the unroadworthiness of vehicles.” Makhurupetje said.

She added that she was proud of the diligent work done by the Hawks, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for promptly uncovering the corruption scam, which could have led to further loss of revenue and continuous accidents.

“The message we are sending to officials who may be involved in corruption is that they need to stop immediately as we are watching them. If you continue delving in fraud and corruption, know that your days are numbered,” she concluded.

The four arrested officials, consisting of a cashier and three vehicle examiners will be appearing in the Musina Magistrate’s Court, today.