Hawks and other officials this week arrested 27 road traffic officers and driving school operators in a multidisciplinary intelligence driven joint operations in various parts of Mpumalanga.
On Monday, a total of 14 suspects between the ages of 34 and 59, were arrested during a multidisciplinary intelligence driven joint operation by a team, comprising of the Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation (known as the Hawks), Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and Crime Intelligence at Sabie, Graskop, Lydenburg and Verena respectively for fraud, corruption and contravening the National Road Traffic Act.
On Tuesday, a total of 13 traffic officials were nabbed.
Their arrest followed after an investigation carried forward by the Hawks, Mpumalanga-based Serious Corruption Investigation in collaboration with the National RTMC, regarding drivers’ licence testing examiners who colluded with driving school owners to issue learner’s and driver’s licences to applicants without following due processes by not conducting routine test and assisting the applicants when they write learner’s licences.
Hawks Mpumalanga spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi confirmed that the 27 accused from three districts within the Mpumalanga province, were released on bail by different magistrate’s courts.
They were arrested as part of Operation “Kwanele” in Mpumalanga to clean up fraud and corruption at the driving licence testing centres (DLTCs).
During 2021, information from crime intelligence led the Hawks to register a project under the name Kwanele.
Unconventional investigation methodology was applied. Driver’s licenses were obtained through corrupt officials and driving school operators.
The Hawks said during the process of obtaining learner’s licences, applicants were assisted or given answers by the examiners who were working with driving school owners to facilitate the exercise. Driver’s licences were allegedly issued to applicants without being tested after paying an exorbitant amount of cash.
Warrant of arrest was authorised and executed on Monday at different testing stations simultaneously.
Sekgotodi said three accused arrested and detained at Sabie on Monday were released on R5000 bail each as follows: Momo Beauty Mathebula, 30; testing examiner Roandey Mkhonto, 49; testing examiner and driving school owner Jackson Mokoena 42. Their case was postponed to November 8 for further investigation.
Sekgotodi said the four accused arrested at Lydenburg on Monday were released on R5000 bail each as follows: Lucky Nhlahla Shabangu, 45; Reneilwe Linah Phala, 45; Seth Moleseng Mashile, 55; and Patricia Pretty Sekome, 36, driving school owner. The case was postponed to November 6.
She said the two accused arrested at Graskop were released on R10 000 bail each as follows: Eric Mawelele, 57, and Bheki John Mamba, 59, and their case was postponed to November 18.
Sekgotodi said four traffic officials were arrested at Verena as follows: Abram Mashiane, 43; Tshepo Skhosana, 48; Abram Mahlangu, 43; and Sarah Ndala, 59.
Sekgotodi said the accused arrested at Charl Cilliers, Neo Lawrence Mofube, 32, was released on R1 000 bail, and the case was postponed to October 22.
Sekgotodi said on Tuesday, the accused arrested at Kabokweni Traffic Department, David Kenneth Twala, 49, was released on R5000 bail, and the case was postponed to October 21.
She said the accused arrested at Hazyview Rodney Plus Nkuna, 33, was released on R2500 bail, and the case was postponed to October 24.
Two accused arrested in Nelspruit, Sboniso Nkosi, 38, and Bhekifa Mfankomo, 51, were released on R1500 bail each, and the case was postponed to October 21.
She said the accused arrested at Malelane, August Veronica Nkambule, 47, was released on R3000 bail, and the case was postponed to November 22.
Sekgotodi said the accused arrested at White River, Sipho Mkhonto, 40, and Elecks Ngwamba, 52, were released on R 2500 bail, and the case was postponed to October 24.
The accused arrested at Kanyamazane, Sylvester Goodman Hlaka, 49, and Joseph Koos Mathebula, 55, were granted R10 000 bail each, and the case was postponed to November 22.
Sekgotodi said four accused arrested at Calcutta, Nomzamo Duba, 39; S Mngwenya, 29; Ntimane RN, 41; and SS Makamo, 64, were released on R5000 bail each and the case was postponed to November 14.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks Major-General Nicholas Gerber and the CEO of the RTMC appreciated the collaboration by the team who worked tirelessly around the clock, to ensure that the operation was concluded successfully and all targets are behind the bars.
“As the Hawks together with other law enforcement agencies, we shall investigate and arrest all corrupt law enforcement officials within the system, without fear and favour,” said Gerber.
He further urged the public to report such incidents.
Gerber emphasised that corruption cannot survive if the public refuse to pay bribes to obtain fraudulent licenses.
He warned members of the public to refrain from paying bribes in whatever form as they themselves can be prosecuted in terms of legislation.
Gerber applauded his team for the work done and emphasised that more arrests are to come.
“Officials need to do the work they are paid for and not abuse their powers as a source of income,” he said.
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said members of the public who obtain licences through corrupt means pose a danger to other motorists.
The Star
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