11 licensing officials arrested on fraud and corruption charges

By: Natasha Archary

Eleven licensing officials have been arrested on fraud and corruption charges in the Free State, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the Hawks rounded up the 11 suspects who have been implicated in fraud relating to the unlawful issuing of driving licenses and roadworthiness certificates.

These arrests follow 3-years of investigations under the code name “Operation Catfish” which identified examiners who were fraudulently issuing drivers licenses and roadworthy certificates at various testing stations.

Initiated by the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit of the RTMC, the investigation was a collaborative effort with the Hawks.

“The investigation has established a link in corruption in all 3 provinces. The majority of the arrested officials are based at Lengau Testing Centre in Bloemfontein.

All the suspects are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein magistrate court on Tuesday, 30 January.

This is part of ongoing efforts to remove all risk factors that contribute to a high number of crashes, injuries and fatalities on the roads.”

The RTMC and Hawks are still conducting investigations and expect more arrests to be made.

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