Richards Bay Magistrate Court: Accused number 32 of the 33 people arrested for fraud and corruption involving the issuing of driver’s licences at Melmoth Driving Licence Centre missed today’s court appearance at the Richards Bay Magistrates Court.
This is after his involvement in a road accident while driving with a fake driver’s license he obtained after writing a fake test.
Accused number 16 also missed the court case without any explanation. A warrant for his arrest has been issued.
The bail for accused number 32 has been provisionally forfeited to the state and a warrant for his arrest issued.
The warrant has, however, been suspended until their next appearance on the 26th November 2024. If he fails to appear in court with others, he will go straight to jail.
As the Department, we remain satisfied with the integrated approach involving our very own efficient and motivated team from the Traffic and Transport Inspection Unit, the Hawks, and the National Prosecuting Authority.
The amount of work involving investigations and analysis of evidence has led us to more suspects.
To date, there are 87 people who will be rounded up and brought to court to face the music.
Our worry is that courts are becoming too small.
We are sending out a strong message that the culture of impunity and perception of a relatively easy life through fraud and corruption is the thing of the past.
We reiterate our message that fake drivers who obtained their driving licences fraudulently will be removed from our roads, arrested, and locked up in jail.
As we stated, we do this in order to end carnage on our roads and to save innocent lives.
Finally, we salute our dedicated staff in our testing centres. They must continue to inspire hope for a better future while we isolate rogue elements.
Ends
Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements