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The takedown operation conducted by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation and the Road Traffic Management Corporation continues to yield positive results.
This follows the arrest of another five traffic officials between the ages of 37 and 59 years at Bela-Bela Driving Licence Testing Station today (12 February 2025).
This brings to 24 the total number of driving licence examiners, administration clerks and driving school instructors arrested at various testing centres since Friday (07 February 2025).
Eleven suspects were arrested in connection with fraud and corruption at Lephalale DLTC on Friday and over the weekend while an additional eight were nabbed at Thabazimbi DLTC on Monday (10 February 2025).
This follows an intensive investigation launched in 2021 to identify officials and test stations who were issuing learners and driver's licences without following proper procedures in return for gratification.
The matter was reported to the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation by the RTMC’s national traffic anti-corruption unit. After completing the investigation, the case was referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a decision. Subsequent to this, warrants for the arrest of the suspects were authorized.
The Hawks and the RTMC conducted a joint operation where they are continuing to arrest the implicated suspects.
Gadgets believed to be helpful in the investigation were seized and will be subjected to forensic investigations.
The five suspects are scheduled to appear in the Bela-Bela Magistrate's Court on 13 February 2025.
The team is still busy with the operation to address fraud and corruption-related offenses within Limpopo Province.
Investigations have identified more than 1300 applicants that have been implicated in this criminal activity. They will also have to answer to law enforcement authorities for the part they played.
The Acting Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province Brigadier Desmond Alexander applauded the working relationship between the Hawks, NPA and the RTMC for the wonderful work done.
RTMC CEO Advocate Makhosini Msibi said the arrests would loosen up the grip of corruption that was suffocating the management of licensing in the Waterberg district of Limpopo.
“South Africans are tired of counting bodies on the roads as a result of crashes caused by incompetent drivers. Corruption is not a victimless crime. It robs the state of valuable resources and places a heavy burden on families who bury loved ones every weekend,” Msibi said.