Traffic officers in court for forged matric certificates

PRETORIA: Two traffic officers have appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Durban on allegations that they submitted forged matriculation certificates to gain admission into a traffic officer training course.

The court released the two, Siyabonga Reginald Madela (32) and Lindelwa Manyamalala (31) on warning. The case was postponed to September 6.

The case emerged last year when members of the RTMC’s National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) initiated an investigation into allegations that about 120 learners from Ulundi and Mthonjaneni in KwaZulu Natal had been sent to Mangaung Traffic Officer College in the Free State even though they did not meet the minimum requirements for admission into the course. The course ran from January to December.

There are allegations that implicate certain municipal officials in the recruitment of the cadets. It is claimed that recruits were required to pay a sum of money ranging from R10 000 to R17 000 to qualify for enrollment into the course. However, they still had to pay all other training expenses including their own uniforms.

The investigations are continuing and the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out at this stage.

Members of the public who have information on fraud and corruption in the traffic law enforcement sector are urged to assist the investigation by contacting the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit on 0861 400 800
or email [email protected]. All information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.