Lephalale – Eleven suspects accused of being part of a large-scale driver’s licence fraud syndicate have been granted bail following their court appearance on Monday.
The Lephalale Magistrate’s Court set their bail at R8,000 each as they face charges of corruption related to the fraudulent issuing of driver’s licences.
The suspects, which include eight examiners of driver’s licences, an administration clerk, and two driving school instructors, were arrested in a joint operation conducted by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks).
The operation, which took place on Friday afternoon, resulted in the initial arrest of five individuals, with four more taken into custody over the weekend.
According to RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane, the group is accused of engaging in widespread corruption at a local driving licence centre, allegedly facilitating the illegal issuing of licences. “These arrests form part of our ongoing efforts to root out corruption in the licensing system and ensure that only qualified drivers are on the roads,” Zwane stated.
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During the suspects’ first court appearance, the prosecution opposed bail, citing the severity of the charges and the potential risk of interference with investigations.
However, the magistrate ruled in favour of bail, setting it at R8,000 per suspect with conditions attached, including reporting to the nearest police station weekly and surrendering their passports.
The case has been postponed for further investigation, with the accused expected back in court in the coming weeks.
The RTMC has reiterated its commitment to tackling fraud in the licensing sector, warning that further arrests could follow as investigations continue.
Authorities have urged members of the public to report any suspicions of fraudulent activities at driving licence centres to help combat corruption and improve road safety in South Africa.
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