Vehicle Testing Station Officials Arrested for Alleged Fraud in Limpopo

The eleven suspects have been warned to appear in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Polokwane on 12 December 2024, where they will face charges of fraud.

Eleven officials working at various vehicle testing stations have been arrested for their involvement in a fraudulent scheme that defrauded the Department of Transport. The suspects, aged between 27 and 57, were apprehended during a joint operation led by the Polokwane-based Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) unit and the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU).

Fraudulent Issuance of Roadworthy Certificates

The arrests stem from allegations that, in May 2019, a group of cashiers and vehicle examiners at the Mookgopong Private Testing Station in Limpopo issued six roadworthy certificates illegally. The suspects are accused of authorizing the certificates without following proper procedures and using another person’s identity documents to fraudulently process these certificates without the individual’s knowledge.

The RTMC detected these irregularities and initiated an investigation, which led to the opening of a fraud case. The investigation was handed over to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit for further action. After gathering substantial evidence, the case was referred to the Public Prosecutor, who issued summonses for the suspects.

Operation "SISFIKILE" Leads to Arrests Across Three Provinces

An operation, named "SISFIKILE," involving both the Hawks and the RTMC, was launched to trace the suspects. Between 4 and 9 November 2024, the suspects were tracked down and arrested across Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng provinces. The arrested individuals include both vehicle owners who received the fraudulent roadworthy certificates and the officials responsible for authorizing and issuing the certificates.

Court Appearance and Ongoing Investigation

The eleven suspects have been warned to appear in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Polokwane on 12 December 2024, where they will face charges of fraud. The operation is ongoing, and further arrests are anticipated as the investigation continues. The RTMC has stated that it is committed to rooting out corruption in the road traffic sector to ensure the safety and integrity of vehicle testing procedures.

This case highlights the seriousness with which authorities are tackling fraud in the transport sector, with efforts to prevent the issuance of fraudulent roadworthy certificates that could potentially endanger public safety.