Fourteen (14) people, including a member of the public who was issued with a driver’s licence without being tested, are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 30 January 2024, for corruption, fraud and money laundering.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli, they were arrested on Monday 29 January 2024 in the Free State, Gauteng, and Mpumalanga.
“Intelligence information was received in 2022 about the Traffic Department and private examiners in Bloemfontein, Brandfort, Botshabelo, Ladybrand, Phalaborwa, and Nelspruit; traffic officers, driving school instructors; and runners who were involved in issuing learner’s and driver’s licences without following proper procedures,” said Mohobeleli.
He added “Operation Catfish” was subsequently set up, where several transactions were concluded over a period and evidence thereof was presented before court.
“On 26 January 2024, the Director of Public Prosecutions authorised warrants of arrest for 20 individuals. Early on the morning of 29 January, members of the Hawks, Tactical Response Team (TRT), and Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) arrested nine males and five females aged between 30 and 57 at different locations,” said Mohobeleli.
He further said the Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, has vowed that more people will be arrested.
“Members of the public who obtained licences through corrupt means are a danger to society. They shall be arrested,” she said.
Members of the Hawks are hard at work looking for more suspects. More arrests are imminent.
Compiled by Justine Fortuin
