Fears of Lephalale vehicle station grinding to a halt

There were fears operations at the Lephalale vehicle station may be badly affected by the scheduled appearance of 12 of its officials in court on Monday 27 May.

A total of 12 officials based at the Lephalale vehicle station are on bail of R1 000 each, on charges of fraud and corruption.

The 12 suspects were expected to appear before the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on Monday 27 May.

Hawks spokesperson, Captain Matimba Maluleka, on Tuesday 21 May said it was not in his competence to comment on the effect of the arrests and subsequent court appearance on the station’s
operations.

The BEAT was at time of going to print trying to make contact with the Lephalale vehicle station to check on the state of affairs.

The 12 suspects were arrested by the Hawks in a sting operation over two days, from Monday 8 April to Tuesday 9 April.

They first appeared before the Lephalale Magistrate Court on Wednesday 10 April.

The suspects are namely Obakeng Mosimane (27), Themba Ephraim Sambo (29), Joel Mahlatji (45), Stanley Matlala (35), Geisbert Albertus Engelbrecht (53), Allison Catherine Sumner (55), Mpho Lloyd Raphuthi (26) and Pheshi Ntebatse Langa.

The other suspects include Marisca Erasmus (28), Lebogang Rapetsoa (23), Pieter Frederick Francois (62) and Vhotoro Democracy Khangale (29).

— The BEAT