The spokesperson for the Directorate for Crime Investigation in the Free State, Lynda Steyn, tells OFM News the arrests emanate from a year-and-a-half long undercover sting operation which was headed up by the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s National Anti-Corruption Unit with the Hawks’ assistance, following reports that some traffic examiners at testing centres in Harrismith and Bethlehem were being bribed and/or took part in the fraudulent awarding of licenses.

Steyn says it was suspected driving school instructors often acted as the middlemen between examiners and applicants in illegal transactions or bribes for licenses. As a result “agents were placed undercover to obtain code 14 licenses with the assistance of jockeys”, says Steyn. Jockeys are people who impersonate applicants and undergo testing on behalf of the actual applicant.

Five traffic officials, three administrative clerks, four jockeys, two examiners and one driving instructor were caught red-handed by authorities.

At this stage, Steyn says they are still auditing records to ascertain how many licenses may have been awarded fraudulently in this area. At least four more arrests in connection with the same offences are expected on Thursday in Harrismith and Bethlehem. The 15 people are expected to appear before local courts on Friday for fraud and corruption with a possibility of more charges to be added to their sheets.

OFM News