The spokesperson for the Hawks in the Free State, Lynda Steyn, tells OFM News Wednesday’s arrests in the Free State form part of a large, countrywide operation which started in 2019 in which 15 people were arrested in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Gauteng, and the Free State province. Steyn says the accused include several admin clerks, a police officer and driving school owners/administrators across the four provinces. She explained how the syndicate operated from the Lengau Traffic and Testing Centre in Bloemfontein.

The accused allegedly issued fraudulent roadworthy certificates for deregistered vehicles in exchange for money, amongst other violations. Steyn says three arrests are outstanding at this stage.

The accused will appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Friday, where they are facing fraud, corruption and money laundering charges.

The OFM News team, along with other national media houses, travelled across Bloemfontein on Wednesday as the Hawks effected the arrests first at Lengau and later at varied residential areas in the Free State capital. 

The Hawks in the other three provinces conducted arrests simultaneously. OFM has been reliably informed the arrests have rocked the Lengau Traffic and Testing Centre, which falls under the Provincial Department of Police, Roads and Transport.

OFM News\Lucky Nkuyane and Olebogeng Motse