MOKOPANE – The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit, in collaboration with the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit, has arrested 11 suspects, aged 27 to 57, across various provinces for alleged fraud during Operation Sisfikile.

The investigation revealed that, in May 2019, cashiers and vehicle examiners at Mookgophong Private Testing Station fraudulently issued six roadworthy certificates without following proper procedures, apparently in collusion with the applicants.

They reportedly used another individual’s identity document as an applicant, with the individual’s consent.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) identified the suspicious activities and referred the case to the Hawks, who collected the necessary evidence.

Following the investigation, the Public Prosecutor issued summonses, leading to the suspects’ arrests between November 4 and 9 in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng.

The suspects, including both vehicle owners who received the unauthorised certificates and officials who issued them, have been warned to appear before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Polokwane on December 12 to face fraud charges.

Acting provincial head of the Hawks, Brig Lesibana Meshack Malapile, commended the team and confirmed that the operation is ongoing, with additional arrests anticipated.