Hawks arrest testing officials

Operation Corolla which was recently rolled out across the province by Limpopo Hawks in collaboration with Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) saw 18 officials attached to two allegedly illegal vehicle testing stations being arrested in Polokwane last Thursday.
The suspects were expected to appear in the local magistrate’s court on Monday but Limpopo Hawks Spokesperson Matimba Maluleke was not able to provide their names and the court update by the time of going to print.
The operation which was also joined by Transport and Community Safety MEC Dickson Masemola and RTMC Chief Executive Officer Makhosini Msibi first led Hawks and RTMC members to a testing station in Mangaan Street. Secondly a testing station on the Louis Trichardt road on the outskirts of Polokwane was targeted.

Maluleke indicated that Operation Corolla would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to address allegations of fraud and corruption at vehicle testing stations in the province.
At all the stations it is alleged that officials use the identity particulars of unsuspecting individuals repeatedly to process and authorise roadworthy certificates for vehicles that were never physically brought to the testing stations.
Last week alone 32 officials were arrested in different parts of the province. Four were arrested in Lephalale last Monday and 10 were apprehended at Marble Hall two days later.
Maluleke identified the four Lephalale suspects as Zwelihle Khumalo (36), Lebogang Rapetsoa (24), Peter Schutte (62) and Makwena Silas Mashala (27) all of whom were expected to appear in the local magistrate’s court on Monday.

Those arrested in Marble Hall are Benjamin Mphahlele (24), Koketso Kgapulula (26), Zachariah Thobejane (34), Johannes Baloyi (36), David Selebalo (33), Davey Shongoane (27), Pride Thobejane (35), Bongani Mahlalele (35), Kedibone Goodness Dladla (24) and Jimmy Baloyi (45) who were also due in court on Monday.
The group of suspects is made up of vehicle testing owners, managers, examiners and administration clerks. Documents, computers and cell phones were also seized during the operation.
Masemola addressed the media during the operation saying law enforcers were hard at work during Transport Month. “I am happy with the progress and the work demonstrated during Operation Corolla as well as Operation Swara Tsotsi. The message from our side is clear that we are not playing,” Masemola said.
Msibi said Operation Corolla will be rolled out in all nine provinces reminding that 23 officials were arrested in Mpumalanga during September. He emphasised that the major cause of accidents on South Africa’s roads was non-roadworthy vehicles.

Story: RC Myburgh
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